Movement apparatus and recording/reproducing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A lift stage that may be moved vertically by being guided by a longitudinal groove in a lateral wall is uplifted or lowered via a pin by first and second cams. The first cam has a zigzag-shaped cam groove to permit periodic reciprocating movement. The second cam performs a reciprocating movement with a pre-set phase difference with respect to the first cam. When the pin reaches a branching point of the zig-zag shaped cam groove, the uplifting or the descent is selected in dependence upon the direction of rotation of a rotary cam causing rotation of the respective cams, with the second cam supporting or not supporting the pin. There is provided a system which is small-sized, simple in construction and superior in load bearing capability and durability and which is suited for use in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a movement device for selectively movingobjects in one or in the other direction. The object to be movedincludes a certain portion of an electronic audio/video apparatus, suchas a disc player or a tape player, a lift stage carrying the personnel,motor-car or freight in general, or a pallet.

This invention also relates to a recording and/or reproducing apparatusfor recording and/or reproduction on or from a disc cartridge comprisedof a cartridge main member and a recording disc contained therein, andto a recording and/or reproducing apparatus designed as a disc changerhaving plural disc cartridges housed therein and adapted for selectingone of these disc cartridges for recording/reproduction.

The invention also relates to a disc loading apparatus constituting therecording and/or reproducing apparatus and a cartridge holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the conventional disc player, designed and constructed as anauto-changer, a mechanical chassis carrying essential components of thedisc player apparatus, such as a spindle motor or an optical pickup, isselectively moved as moved components in one direction, such asdownwards, or in the other direction, such as upwards, by a movementdevice. The mechanical chassis is moved between positions associatedwith plural recording discs loaded in a stacked fashion within the discplayer apparatus and selectively loaded with a recording disc forwriting and/or reading information signals on or from the disc.

The movement device may be a lift stage loaded with personnel, vehiclesor luggage in general, or a device for lifting a pallet as a movedarticle, or a so-called elevator or lift.

Such movement device is designed to move the moved article from oneextreme position to the other extreme position and to be halted at atleast one position between these extreme positions. That is, with theabove-mentioned movement device for moving the mechanical chassis of thedisc player apparatus, the mechanical chassis is halted at a pluralityof positions each facing a recording disc. With the movement devicedesigned as the lift, the lift stage or the pallet is halted at pluralpositions corresponding to the floor surfaces of the respective stories.

A variety of different types of the movement devices, including thosehaving a horizontally movable plate cam 101, as shown in FIGS. 99 to108, have hitherto been proposed. The upper edge of the plate cam 101 isdesigned as an inclined portion generally inclined in one directionhaving intermediate first to fifth horizontally extending sections 101a,101b, 101c, 101d and 101e. On the upper edge of the plate cam 101 is seta profiling pin 102 mounted on a moved article. The profiling pin 102 isguided by a vertically extending guide groove 103 so as to be movableonly in the vertical direction. The plate cam 101 is movable on thefirst horizontal section 101a by movement means, not shown, in ahorizontal direction perpendicular to the guide groove 103 between aposition in which the first horizontal section 101a is in registrationwith the guide groove 103, as shown in FIG. 103, and a position in whichthe fifth horizontal section 101e is in registration with the guidegroove 103, as shown in FIG. 99.

When the first horizontal section 101a is in registration with the guidegroove 103, the profiling pin 102 is set on the first horizontal section101a and is at a standstill at the lower most position. When set on thesecond, third or fourth horizontal sections 101b, 101c or 101d, theprofiling pin 102 is moved to progressively high positions. By the platecam 101 being halted at a pre-set position, the profiling pin 102 is seton the upper edge of one of the second to fourth horizontal sections101b, 101c and 101d and halted thereat. When the fifth horizontalsection 101e is at a position registering with the guide groove 103, theprofiling pin 102 is set on the fifth horizontal section 101e and henceis halted at the upper most position.

If, with the above-described movement device having the plate cam 101,the profiling pin 102 is to be halted on one of the horizontal sections101a to 101e, the profiling pin 102 can be halted at a precisely setheight, without regard to accuracy in the plate cam halting position,since the upper edges of the horizontal sections 101a to 101e arehorizontal, that is parallel to the direction of movement of the platecam 101.

There is also known a movement device employing a disc-shaped rotaryplate cam 104 rotated about a center shaft 105, as shown in FIGS. 104 to108. The rotary plate cam 104 has an inclined cam surface 104a extendingtowards its rim. The outer edge portion of the inclined cam surface 104ais generally spirally-shaped and has a plurality of intermediateconcentric portions. These concentric portions are in the form of arcsof circles centered about the center shaft 105. On the outer edge of theinclined cam surface 104a is set a profiling pin 102 mounted on themoved article. The profiling pin 102 is movable only in the up-and-downdirection by being guided by a guide groove extending in the up-and-downdirection with the center shaft 105 as the lower most end. The rotaryplate cam 104 is rotated by movement means, not shown, between arotational position shown in FIG. 108 in which the portion of theinclined cam surface 104a closest to the center shaft 105 is inregistration with the guide groove and a rotational position shown inFIG. 104 in which the portion of the inclined cam surface 104a remotestfrom the center shaft 105 is in registration with the guide groove.

When the rotary plate cam 104 is at the rotational position shown inFIG. 108 in which the portion of the inclined cam surface 104a closestto the center shaft 105 is in registration with the guide groove, theprofiling pin 102 is set on the concentric circle and is halted at thelower most position. The profiling pin 102 is moved to progressivelyhigher positions by the rotation of the rotary plate cam 104. When therotary plate cam 104 is at such a rotational position in which theportion of the inclined cam surface 104a remotest from the center shaft105 is in registration with the guide groove, as shown in FIG. 104, theprofiling pin 102 is halted at the upper most position.

For halting the profiling pin 102 at the respective concentric circlesin the movement device having the rotary plate cam 104, since the upperedges of the concentric circles are in the from of arcs of circlescentered about the center shaft 105, the profiling pin 102 can be haltedat correct height positions without regard to accuracy in the plate camhalting position.

There is also known a movement device shown in FIGS. 109 to 113 which iscomprised of a pair of bell cranks 110, 110 and a horizontal rod 130interconnecting these bell cranks 110, 110 and adapted to lift a movedarticle 111. Each bell crank 110 has its mid portion rotatably supportedwith respect to a base 106 by a pivot 107. Each of these bell cranks110, 110 has its one end rotatably mounted by rotary shafts 109, 109 onthe horizontal rod 130 so that the bell cranks will have the samerotational angular position with respect to the base 106. Each bellcrank 110 has its opposite end connected via rotary shafts 108, 108 tothe moved article 111. Each bell crank 110 has an elongated engagementopening engaged by the rotary shaft 108. The engagement opening iselongated in the direction towards the pivot 107. The rotary shafts 108,108 are engaged in a pair of guide grooves 112, 112 formed in the base106, such that the moved article 111 is movable only in the up-and-downdirection with respect to the base 106.

With the above movement device, the moved article 111 may be movedbetween the upper position shown in FIG. 109 and the lower positionshown in FIG. 113 via the bell cranks 110, 110 by horizontally shiftingthe horizontal rod 130.

There is also known a movement device constituted by links 113, 114 anda horizontal rod 115. With such movement device, the moved article 111and the horizontal rod 115 are interconnected by a pair of elongatedlinks 113. That is, each of the elongated links 113, 113 has its one endrotatably mounted to the moved article 111, while having its other endrotatably mounted on the horizontal rod 115. The horizontal rod 115 issupported by the base 106 for movement only in the horizontal direction.The moved article 111 is movable only in the up-and-down direction by apair of guide grooves 112, 112 formed in the base 106. The mid portionsof the elongated links 113, 113 and the base 106 are interconnected byreduced-length links 114, 114. That is, each of the reduced-length links114, 114 has its end rotatably mounted on a mid portion of eachelongated links 113, 113, while having its opposite end rotatablymounted on the base 106.

With such movement device, the moved article 111 may be lifted via theelongated and reduced-length links 113, 113, 114, 114 by horizontallymoving the horizontal rod 115.

There is also known a movement device shown in FIGS. 119 to 123including a pair of rotary links 116, 117 each having its mid portionrotatably supported with respect to the base 106. The rotary links 116,117 are mounted on the base 106 for rotation by support shafts 128, 129.The one ends of the rotary links 116, 117 are rotatably connected toeach other by a connecting shaft 118. That is, the rotary links 116, 117are formed at one ends thereof with elongated holes 121, 122 each havingits long axis extending towards the supporting shafts 128, 129, and areconnected to each other by the connecting shaft 118 being passed throughthese elongated holes 121, 122. The other ends of the rotary links 116,117 are formed with elongated openings extending towards the supportingshafts 128, 129 and adapted for being passed through by the rotaryshafts 119, 120. The rotary shafts 119, 120 are movable only in theup-and-down direction via a pair of guide grooves 112, 112 formed in thebase 106.

With the above-described movement device, the moved article 111 may bemoved between an upper position shown in FIG. 119 and a lower positionshown in FIG. 123 by rotating the rotary links 116, 117 about thesupport shafts 128, 129.

There is also known a movement device having a Geneva wheel 123 and arack gear 126 meshing with the Geneva wheel 123, as shown in FIGS. 124to 136. The geneva wheel 123 is mounted for rotation about the centershaft with respect to the moved article. The Geneva wheel 123 has a pairof engagement pins 124, 125 provided at an interval of 180° via thecenter shaft. The rack gear 126 has plural grooves 127 arrayed at apre-set interval and adapted for being engaged by the engagement pins124, 125, and is fixedly mounted on a base, not shown.

If, with the above movement device, the engagement pins 124, 125 areengaged in the grooves 127, 127, as shown in FIG. 124, and the Genevawheel 123 is rotated in one direction as indicated by arrow J in FIG.124, only the engagement pin 125 is ready to be engaged in the groove127, while the Geneva wheel 123 is moved relative to the rack gear 126in a direction corresponding to the rack gear 126. When the Geneva wheel123 has been rotated through 180° from the initial state, the pins 124,125 are engaged in the grooves 127, 127, as shown in FIG. 138. TheGeneva wheel 123 is moved at this time a distance equal to one pitch ofthe groove 127 relative to the rack gear 126.

With such movement device, shown in FIGS. 99 to 103, if the angle ofinclination or the pressure angle of the cam surface, which is the upperedge of the plate cam 101, is set to within a practical range, thedistance of horizontal movement of the plate cam 101 needs to heincreased relative to the distance of vertical movement of the profilingpin 102. The result is that the movement device is increased in size.

On the other hand, the movement device shown in FIGS. 104 to 108 isincreased in size because the rotary plate cam 104 has a diameter equalto at least twice the distance of movement of the profiling pin 102.

With the movement device shown in FIGS. 109 to 113, it is difficult tocontrol the device for halting the moved article 111 at the pre-setposition. If an impact is applied from outside, the risk is high thatthe moved article 111 be moved under the shock applied thereto. Themovement device has a large number of component parts and hence iscomplicated and difficult to put together.

With the movement device shown in FIGS. 114 to 118, since the distanceof movement of the horizontal rod 115 is not proportionate to that ofthe moved article, it is difficult to control the position of the movedarticle 111. Aside from the difficulties in halting the moved article111 at the pre-set position, there is a risk that the moved article 111be moved under the impact applied from outside. In addition, themovement device also has a large number of component parts and hence iscomplicated to put together.

With the movement device shown in FIGS. 119 to 123, it is difficult tocontrol the moved article so as to be halted at the pre-set position. Inaddition, there is a risk that the moved article 111 be moved under theimpact applied from outside. Besides, the movement device also has alarge number of component parts and hence is complicated to puttogether.

Furthermore, with the movement device shown in FIGS. 124 to 138, sincethe Geneva wheel is mounted on the moved article, driving means, such asan electric motor, needs to be provided on the moved article, and hencethe moved article becomes complicated in structure. Since a number ofGeneva wheels need to be provided on the moved article, it is difficultto synchronize the rotation of the respective Geneva wheels.

There is also known a movement device having a feed screw. Since thefeed screw is rotated with the direction of movement of the movedarticle as its axis, the mechanism for rotating the feed screw becomebulky in size. Besides, it is similarly difficult to halt the movedarticle at a pre-set position.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a movement device which is simple in structure and easy toassemble, and in which, despite the small size of the device, the movedarticle can be halted with accuracy at a pre-set position and can bepositively maintained at the halted position despite the shock appliedthereto from outside.

There has also hitherto been proposed a recording and/or reproducingapparatus, as a so-called disc changer device, in which a plurality ofdisc cartridges, each comprised of a recording disc housed within acartridge main member, are accommodated, and in which one of these disccartridges is selected for recording/reproducing information signals onor from the disc cartridge.

With such disc changer apparatus, the disc cartridges are accommodatedand held in a disc stocker provided in a casing of the disc changerdevice.

With such disc changer device, the recording/reproducing unit, having aspindle motor, an optical pickup and so forth, is moved between thepositions facing the disc cartridges housed within the disc stocker, forselecting the disc cartridge and loading the selected disc cartridgethereon for recording/reproducing information signals on or from thedisc cartridge.

With such recording and/or reproducing apparatus, constituted as a discchanger device, since each disc cartridge is housed within the discchanger device and hence cannot be visually recognized from outside, itis impossible to read indications on an outer surface of the disccartridge or on the label affixed thereto. These indications arerelative to the contents of the information signals recorded on the disccartridge.

Consequently, if it is desired with such recording and/or reproducingapparatus to confirm the indications concerning the disc cartridgehoused therein, it is necessary to take out these disc cartridges out ofthe apparatus by a laborious operation.

On the other hand, if, with the above-described recording and/orreproducing apparatus, one of the disc cartridges contained therein isselected and loaded on the recording/reproducing unit, it isinconveniently not clear which of the disc cartridges has been selected.Although a device may be annexed for indicating which disc has beenselected, such device complicates the structure of therecording/reproducing apparatus.

In addition, it is not possible with such recording and/or reproducingapparatus to exchange a disc cartridge during recording and/orreproduction on or from another disc cartridge, such that it is notpossible to effect continuous recording/reproduction.

Furthermore, with the above recording and/or reproducing apparatus,since the disc cartridge is housed in the disc cartridge insertingdirection, it is difficult to reduce the size of the disc cartridgealong the inserting direction, that is the depth of the disc cartridge.

In view of the foregoing, it is another object of the present inventionto provide a recording and/or reproducing apparatus in which each of thedisc cartridge loaded thereon may be visually recognized from outside,in which it can be clearly indicated which of the disc cartridges iscurrently recorded/reproduced, without complicating the structure of theapparatus, the disc cartridge loaded in the recording/reproducing unitcan be exchanged for another disc cartridge, and in which the apparatuscan be reduced in size along the disc cartridge inserting direction,that is along the depth of the disc cartridge.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

For solving the above problem and accomplishing the above object, thepresent invention provides a movement device including a profiling pininserted into a guide slit formed in an object to be moved for extendingin an up-and-down direction so that the profiling pin is movable only inthe up-and-down direction, a first cam plate having at least one firsthorizontal section, a second horizontal section contiguous to the firsthorizontal section via a branch point and a first inclined section andlying above said first horizontal section, and a third horizontalsection contiguous to the first horizontal section via the branch pointand a second inclined section and lying below the first horizontalsection, with first cam plate being horizontally movable between aninitial position positioning the profiling pin at the first horizontalsection and an operative position positioning the profiling pin at thesecond position or the third position. The movement device also includesmovement means for periodically moving the first cam plate inreciprocation in a forward direction and in a reverse direction betweenthe initial position and the operative position, and a second cam platehaving at least one horizontal abutment support and being horizontallymovable between a supporting position supporting the profiling pin bythe abutment support and a non-supporting position receding the abutmentsupport away from a locus of movement of the profiling pin, with thesecond cam plate being periodically movable in a forward direction andin a reverse direction by the movement means with a pre-set phasedifference relative to the first cam plate. When the movement meansperforms a forward periodic movement and the first cam plate ishorizontally moved from the initial position to the operative position,the second cam plate is at the supporting position during the time theprofiling pin passes through the branching point, thereby guiding theprofiling pin to the first inclined section leading to the secondhorizontal section. When the movement means performs a reverse periodicmovement and the first cam plate is horizontally moved from the initialposition to the operative position, the second cam plate is at thenon-supporting position during the time the profiling pin passes throughthe branching point, thereby guiding the profiling pin to the secondinclined section leading to the third horizontal section.

With the movement device, the profiling pin inserted into a guide slitformed in an object to be moved for extending in an up-and-downdirection so that the profiling pin is movable only in the up-and-downdirection, is inserted into a first cam plate having at least one firsthorizontal section, a second horizontal section contiguous to the firsthorizontal section via a branch point and the first inclined section andlying above the first horizontal section, and a third horizontal sectioncontiguous to the first horizontal section via the branch point and thesecond inclined section and lying below the first horizontal section,and into a second cam plate having at least one horizontal abutmentsupport and being horizontally movable between a supporting positionsupporting the profiling pin by the abutment support and anon-supporting position receding the abutment support away from a locusof movement of the profiling pin. The first cam plate is horizontallymovable between an initial position positioning the profiling pin at thefirst horizontal section and an operative position positioning theprofiling pin at the second position or the third position. The secondcam plate is periodically movable in a forward direction and in areverse direction by movement means with a pre-set phase differencerelative to the first cam plate.

When the movement means performs a forward periodic movement and thefirst cam plate is horizontally moved from the initial position to theoperative position, the second cam plate is at the supporting positionduring the time the profiling pin passes through the branching point, sothat the profiling pin is guided to the first inclined section leadingto the second horizontal section. On the other hand, when the movementmeans performs a reverse periodic movement and the first cam plate ishorizontally moved from the initial position to the operative position,the second cam plate is at the non-supporting position during the timethe profiling pin passes through the branching point, so that theprofiling pin is guided to the second inclined section leading to thethird horizontal section.

When halted at the horizontal section or at the halt portion, theprofiling pin is held at an accurate position as set by the first camplate as reference, even although the halt position of the first camplate is not maintained with high accuracy. On the other hand, theprofiling pin is not moved along the guide slit under an externalimpact. In addition, with the present movement device, there is nonecessity of providing driving means, such as an electric motor, on theobject for effecting its movement.

Since the cam plates are reciprocated in a direction at right angles tothe direction of movement of the object, there is no necessity ofincreasing the stroke of the reciprocating movement, even although thedistance of movement of the object is increased, so that the movementdevice is not increased in size.

The present invention also provides a movement device including aprofiling pin inserted into a guide slit formed in an object to be movedfor extending from one to the opposite side and movable only in adirection along the guide slit, biasing means for biasing the objecttowards the one side, a first cam plate having at least one first haltportion formed in a direction substantially normal to the guide slit, asecond halt portion contiguous to the first halt portion via a branchingpoint and a first inclined section inclined relative to the direction ofthe guide slit, which second halt portion is closer to said oppositeside than said first halt portion, and a third halt portion contiguousto the first halt portion via the branching point and a second inclinedsection inclined relative to the direction of said guide slit. The thirdhalt portion is closer to the one side than the first halt portion, withthe first cam plate moving the profiling pin in a directionsubstantially normal to the guide slit between an initial positionabuttingly supporting the profiling pin by the first halt portion and anoperative position abuttingly supporting the profiling pin by the secondhalt portion or by the third halt portion. The movement device alsoincludes movement means for periodically moving the first cam plate inreciprocation in a forward direction and in a reverse direction betweenthe initial position and the operative position, and a second cam platehaving at least one abutment support and being movable by the abutmentsupport in a direction substantially normal to the guide slit between asupporting position abuttingly supporting the profiling pin by saidabutment support and a non-supporting position receding the abutmentsupport away from the locus of movement of the profiling pin. The secondcam plate is periodically movable by the movement means in reciprocationin a forward direction and in a reverse direction with a pre-set phasedifference relative to the first cam. When said movement means performsa forward periodic movement and the first cam plate is moved from theinitial position to the operative position, the second cam plate is atthe supporting position during the time the profiling pin passes throughthe branching point, thereby prohibiting the profiling pin from beingmoved in one direction under the bias of the biasing means and guidingthe profiling pin to the first inclined section leading to the secondhorizontal section. On the other hand, when the movement means performsa reverse periodic movement and the first cam plate is moved from theinitial position to the operative position, the second cam plate is atthe non-supporting position during the time the profiling pin passesthrough the branching point, thereby enabling the profiling pin to bemoved in one direction under the bias of the biasing means and guidingthe profiling pin to the second inclined section leading to the thirdhorizontal section.

With the movement device, the profiling pin inserted into a guide slitformed in an object to be moved for extending in an up-and-downdirection so that the profiling pin is movable only in the up-and-downdirection, is inserted into a first cam plate having at least one firsthalt portion formed in a direction substantially normal to the guideslit, a second halt portion contiguous to the first halt portion via abranching point and a first inclined section inclined relative to thedirection of the guide slit, which second halt portion is closer to theopposite side than the first halt portion, and a third halt portioncontiguous to the first halt portion via the branching point and asecond inclined section inclined relative to the direction of the guideslit, which third halt portion is closer to the one side than the firsthalt portion, and a second cam plate having at least one abutmentsupport and being movable by the abutment support in a directionsubstantially normal to the guide slit between a supporting positionabuttingly supporting the profiling pin by the abutment support and anon-supporting position receding the abutment support away from thelocus of movement of the profiling pin. The first cam plate moves theprofiling pin in a direction substantially normal to the guide slitbetween an initial position abuttingly supporting the profiling pin bythe first halt portion and an operative position abuttingly supportingthe profiling pin by the second halt portion or by the third haltportion. The second cam plate is periodically movable by the movementmeans in reciprocation in a forward direction and in a reverse directionwith a pre-set phase difference relative to the first cam.

When said movement means performs a forward periodic movement and thefirst cam plate is moved from the initial position to the operativeposition, the second cam plate is at the supporting position during thetime the profiling pin passes through the branching point, therebyprohibiting the profiling pin from being moved in one direction underthe bias of the biasing means and guiding the profiling pin to the firstinclined section leading to the second horizontal section. When themovement means performs a reverse periodic movement and the first camplate is moved from the initial position to the operative position, thesecond cam plate is at the non-supporting position during the time theprofiling pin passes through the branching point, thereby enabling theprofiling pin to be moved in one direction under the bias of the biasingmeans and guiding the profiling pin to the second inclined sectionleading to the third horizontal section.

When halted at the horizontal section or at the halt portion, theprofiling pin is held at an accurate position as set by the first camplate as reference, even although the halt position of the first camplate is not maintained with high accuracy. On the other hand, theprofiling pin is not moved along the guide slit under an externalimpact. In addition, with the present movement device, there is nonecessity of providing driving means, such as an electric motor, on theobject for effecting its movement.

Since the cam plates are reciprocated in a direction at right angles tothe direction of movement of the object, there is no necessity ofincreasing the stroke of the reciprocating movement, even although thedistance of movement of the object is increased, so that the movementdevice is not increased in size.

The movement means in the present movement device has a rotatable cammember and rotational driving means for selectively rotating therotatable cam member in a forward direction or in a reverse direction.The rotatable cam member has a first cam section for moving the firstcam plate and a second cam section for moving the second cam plate.

In such case, the phase difference between the first cam plate and thesecond cam plate may be maintained accurately.

The abutment support of the second cam plate is a side edge portion of alug having its one end supported by a main portion of the second camplate and having its opposite end as a free end. The second cam plate ismoved in reciprocation with a period equal to one-half the period of themovement of the first cam plate.

In such case, the second cam plate may be simplified in profile forfacilitating the manufacture.

Thus the present invention provides a movement device in which, despiteits simplified construction, facilitated assembling and small-size, theobject may be halted correctly at a pre-set position, and which may bepositively held at the halt position even if an impact is appliedthereto from outside.

The recording and/or reproducing device has a disc stocker for holding aplurality of disc cartridges in tiers. Each disc cartridge is comprisedof a recording disc housed within a cartridge main member, andtransporting means for selecting one of the disc cartridges held by thedisc stocker and transporting the selected disc cartridge to a recordingand/or reproducing unit. The disc stocker holds the disc cartridges sothat each disc cartridge is partially exposed to outside.

With the present recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the discstocker for holding plural disc cartridges in tiers holds the disccartridges so that portions thereof are exposed to outside.Consequently, with the present recording and/or reproducing apparatus,the exposed portions of the disc cartridges van be visually identifiedfrom outside, while the disc cartridges may be exchanged if they are notloaded on the recording and/or reproducing device. On the other hand, ifthe disc cartridges are loaded on the recording and/or reproducingdevice, the exposed portions thereof are contained within the recordingand/or reproducing device, thus allowing to recognize that the disccartridges have been loaded on the recording and/or reproducing unit.

According to the present invention, each of the loaded disc cartridgesmay be viewed from outside, while the type of the disc cartridge beingrecorded or reproduced can be indicated without complicating theconstruction of the device. In addition, the disc cartridges other thanthe disc cartridge loaded on the recording and/or reproducing unit canbe exchanged. Furthermore, the recording and/or reproducing apparatuscan be reduced in depth.

In the recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the present invention,the recording and/or reproducing unit is arranged on the side of thedisc stocker which is opposite to its side via which the disc cartridgesare inserted and taken out.

The transporting means is responsive to a portion exposed to outside thedisc stocker of one of the disc cartridges held by the disc stockerbeing thrust towards the inside of the disc stocker to initiate theoperation of selecting the one of the disc cartridges and transportingthe selected disc cartridge into said recording and/or reproducing unit.

The recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a movement devicehaving a movably supported movement member, and an endless driving belthaving a portion lying along a path of movement of said movement member,which endless belt is placed around a driving pulley member and fed bythe driving pulley member. The recording and/or reproducing apparatusalso includes a follower pulley member arranged on the movement memberand carrying the endless driving belt placed therearound, a profilingmember movably mounted on the movement member and moved by rotation ofthe follower pulley member, and a cam member arranged along a path ofmovement of the movement member for limiting movement of the profilingmember relative to the movement member. The driving force transmitted bythe endless driving belt acts in dependence upon the position of themovement member relative to the cam member so that the driving forcerotates the follower pulley member to cause movement of the profilingmember relative to the movement member when the cam member enablesmovement of the profiling member relative to the movement member. Suchdriving force moves the movable member when the cam member inhibitsmovement of the profiling member relative to the movement member.

With the present recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the drivingforce transmitted by the endless driving belt placed around the followerpulley arranged on the movement member is responsive to the position ofthe movement member relative to the cam member limiting the movement ofthe profiling member, so that, when the cam member enables or prohibitsmovement of the profiling member by the cam member, the profiling memberis moved by rotating the follower pulley member, or the movement memberis moved, respectively.

Consequently, with the movement device of the present recording and/orreproducing apparatus, the changeover timing for the driving forcetransmission route is determined only by the profile of the cam memberwithout being fluctuated under e.g., the external force.

The profiling member moves an engagement arm for engaging a disccartridge held by the disc stocker of a disc changer device with themovement member via the engagement arm.

In such case, in a disc player device, such as a disc changer devicehaving the disc stocker, it is possible with the movement device topositively move the disc cartridge via a pre-set movement route.

Thus the present invention provides a movement deice which is reduced insize and in which there is no risk of the driving changeover timingbeing fluctuated by the external force.

The movement device according to the present invention may beadvantageously applied to a disc changer device having plural recordingdiscs housed therein and adapted for selecting one of these discs forrecording and/or reproducing the information signals on or from theselected disc.

The recording and/or reproducing apparatus also includes a disc loadingdevice, which disc loading device includes in turn a cartridge holderfor holding a disc cartridge comprised of a recording disc housed withina cartridge main member, a recording and/or reproducing unit forrecording/reproducing information signals on or from the recording discand transport means for transporting the cartridge holder in onedirection or towards the recording and/or reproducing unit. Thetransport means moves the recording and/or reproducing unit since a midpoint of the transport process for the cartridge holder in synchronismwith transport of the cartridge holder. The transport means moves therecording and/or reproducing unit via cam means for loading the disccartridge held by the cartridge holder on the recording and/orreproducing unit.

The transport means further transports the cartridge holder and therecording and/or reproducing unit in one direction for approaching amagnetic head carried by the recording and/or reproducing unit towardsthe recording disc of the disc cartridge.

The transport means opens a shutter member of the disc cartridge held inthe cartridge holder as the cartridge holder is transported in onedirection.

The recording and/or reproducing apparatus also has a cartridge holderhaving a holding member for holding a disc cartridge inserted thereinfrom the front side. The disc cartridge is comprised of a recording dischoused within a cartridge main member and having a shutter member on alateral side thereof normal to the inserting direction. The shuttermember is slidable in the inserting direction for opening or closing anaperture, a slider slidably mounted on the holding member, a retentionmember provided on the slider for retaining the disc cartridge insertedinto the holding member relative to the slider, and a shutter engagementmember movably mounted on the holding member and moved in unison withthe slider for being engaged with the shutter member. The slider engagesthe shutter engagement member with the shutter member of the disccartridge inserted into the holding member for moving the disc cartridgeto a closure position of the shutter member.

The recording and/or reproducing device includes a holding membermovably supported by a chassis member. The shutter engagement member isengaged with the chassis member when the shutter engagement member isdisengaged from the shutter member.

The recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a movement devicehaving a profiling pin inserted into a guide slit formed in an object tobe moved for extending in an up-and-down direction so that the profilingpin is movable only in the up-and-down direction, and a first cam platehaving at least one first horizontal section, a second horizontalsection contiguous to the first horizontal section via a branch pointand a first inclined section and lying above the first horizontalsection and a third horizontal section contiguous to the firsthorizontal section via the branch point and a second inclined sectionand lying below the first horizontal section. The first cam plate ishorizontally movable between an initial position positioning theprofiling pin at the first horizontal section and an operative positionpositioning the profiling pin at the second position or the thirdposition. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus also includesmovement means for periodically moving the first cam plate inreciprocation in a forward direction and in a reverse direction betweenthe initial position and the operative position, and a second cam platehaving at least one horizontal abutment support and being horizontallymovable between a supporting position supporting the profiling pin bythe abutment support and a non-supporting position receding the abutmentsupport away from a locus of movement of the profiling pin. The secondcam plate is periodically movable in a forward direction and in areverse direction by the movement means with a pre-set phase differencerelative to the first cam plate. When the movement means performs aforward periodic movement and the first cam plate is horizontally movedfrom the initial position to the operative position, the second camplate is at the supporting position during the time the profiling pinpasses through the branching point, thereby guiding the profiling pin tothe first inclined section contiguous to the second horizontal section.When the movement means performs a reverse periodic movement and thefirst cam plate is horizontally moved from the initial position to theoperative position, the second cam plate is at the non-supportingposition during the time the profiling pin passes through the branchingpoint, thereby guiding the profiling pin to the second inclined sectioncontiguous to the third horizontal section.

The recording and/or reproducing apparatus also includes a movementdevice having a profiling pin inserted into a guide slit formed in anobject to be moved from one to the opposite side. The profiling pin ismovable only in a direction along the guide slit. The recording and/orreproducing apparatus also includes biasing means for biasing the objecttowards the one side, a first cam plate having at least one first haltportion formed in a direction substantially normal to the guide slit, asecond halt portion contiguous to the first halt portion via a branchingpoint and a first inclined section inclined relative to the direction ofthe guide slit, which second halt portion is closer to the opposite sidethan the first halt portion, and a third halt portion contiguous to thefirst halt portion via the branching point and a second inclined sectioninclined relative to the direction of the guide slit, which third haltportion is closer to the one side than the first halt portion. The firstcam plate moves the profiling pin in a direction substantially normal tothe guide slit between an initial position abuttingly supporting theprofiling pin by the first halt portion and an operative positionabuttingly supporting the profiling pin by the second halt portion or bythe third halt portion. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus alsoincludes movement means for periodically moving the first cam plate inreciprocation in a forward direction and in a reverse direction betweenthe initial position and the operative position, and a second cam platehaving at least one abutment support and being movable by the abutmentsupport in a direction substantially normal to the guide slit between asupporting position abuttingly supporting the profiling pin by theabutment support and a non-supporting position receding the abutmentsupport away from the locus of movement of the profiling pin. The secondcam plate is periodically movable by the movement means in reciprocationin a forward direction and in a reverse direction with a pre-set phasedifference relative to the first cam. When the movement means performs aforward periodic movement and the first cam plate is moved from theinitial position to the operative position, the second cam plate is atthe supporting position during the time the profiling pin passes throughthe branching point, thereby prohibiting the profiling pin from beingmoved in one direction under the bias of the biasing means and guidingthe profiling pin to the first inclined section contiguous to the secondhorizontal section. When the movement means performs a reverse periodicmovement and the first cam plate is moved from the initial position tothe operative position, the second cam plate is at the non-supportingposition during the time the profiling pin passes through the branchingpoint, thereby enabling the profiling pin to be moved in one directionunder the bias of the biasing means and guiding the profiling pin to thesecond inclined section contiguous to the third horizontal section.

The movement means in the present recording and/or reproducing apparatushas a rotatable cam member and rotational driving means for selectivelyrotating the rotatable cam member in a forward direction or in a reversedirection. The rotatable cam member has a first cam section for movingthe first cam plate and a second cam section for moving the second camplate.

The abutment support of the second cam plate in the present recordingand/or reproducing apparatus is a side edge portion of a lug having itsone end supported by a main portion of the second cam plate and havingits opposite end as a free end. The second cam plate is moved inreciprocation with a period equal to one-half the period of the movementof the first cam plate in a forward direction or in a reverse direction.

The present recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a recordingdisc holding unit holding plural recording discs in tiers, transportingmeans for transporting one of recording discs held in the recording discholding unit for loading on the recording and/or reproducing unit, and amovement device for moving the transporting means between positionsassociated with the recording discs for causing the transporting meansto select one of the recording discs. The transporting means is drivenby a first motor and the movement means is driven by a second motor.

The disc loading device includes a cartridge holder for holding a disccartridge comprised of a recording disc housed within a cartridge mainmember, a recording and/or reproducing unit for recording/reproducinginformation signals on or from the recording disc and transport meansfor transporting the cartridge holder in one direction or towards therecording and/or reproducing unit. The transport means moves therecording and/or reproducing unit since a mid point of the transportprocess for the cartridge holder in synchronism with transport of thecartridge holder. The transport means moves the recording and/orreproducing unit via cam means for loading the disc cartridge held bythe cartridge holder on the recording and/or reproducing unit.

With the present disc loading device, the transport mechanism fortransporting the cartridge holder holding the disc cartridge in onedirection towards the recording and/or reproducing unit moves therecording and/or reproducing unit since a mid point of the transportprocess for the cartridge holder in synchronism with transport of thecartridge holder for loading the disc cartridge held by the cartridgeholder on the recording and/or reproducing unit. Thus the transportingmechanism completes the loading operation by movement in one directionby a sole motor.

The transport means in the disc loading device further transports thecartridge holder and the recording and/or reproducing unit in onedirection for approaching a magnetic head carried by the recordingand/or reproducing unit towards the recording disc of the disccartridge.

In such case, the transporting mechanism completes the loading operationand the changeover between the recording mode and the reproducing modeby movement in one direction by a sole motor.

The transport means in the disc loading device opens a shutter member ofthe disc cartridge held in the cartridge holder as the cartridge holderis transported in one direction.

In such case, the transporting mechanism completes the loading operationand the changeover between the recording mode and the reproducing modeas well as the shutter opening/closure by movement in one direction by asole motor.

Thus the present invention provides a disc loading device which issimple in construction and easy to assemble while being able to bereduced in size.

The cartridge holder in the disc loading device has a holding member forholding a disc cartridge inserted therein from the front side. The disccartridge is comprised of a recording disc housed within a cartridgemain member and has a shutter member on a lateral side thereof normal tothe inserting direction. The shutter member is slidable in the insertingdirection for opening or closing an aperture, a slider slidably mountedon the holding member, a retention member provided on the slider forretaining the disc cartridge inserted into the holding member relativeto the slider, and a shutter engagement member movably mounted on theholding member and moved in unison with the slider for being engagedwith the shutter member. The slider engages the shutter engagementmember with the shutter member of the disc cartridge inserted into theholding member for moving the disc cartridge to a closure position ofthe shutter member.

The holding member is movably supported by a chassis member and theshutter engagement member is engaged with the chassis member when theshutter engagement member is disengaged from the shutter member.

With the present disc loading device, a plurality of the cartridgeholders are housed and held within a disc stocker in tiers, and thetransporting means are arranged for movement between positionsassociated with the disc cartridges held in the disc stocker and forselecting and transporting one of the cartridge holders for loading onthe recording and/or reproducing unit.

The disc loading device includes a recording disc holding unit holdingplural recording discs in tiers, transporting means for transporting oneof recording discs held in the recording disc holding unit for loadingon the recording and/or reproducing unit, and a movement device formoving the transporting means between positions associated with therecording discs for causing the transporting means to select one of therecording discs. The transporting means is driven by a first motor andthe movement mans is driven by a second motor.

The cartridge holder according to the present invention includes aholding member for holding a disc cartridge inserted therein from thefront side. The disc cartridge is comprised of a recording disc housedwithin a cartridge main member having a shutter member on its lateralside normal to the inserting direction. The shutter member is slidablein the inserting direction for opening or closing an aperture. A slideris slidably mounted on the holding member, and a retention member isprovided on the slider for retaining the disc cartridge inserted intothe holding member relative to the slider. A shutter engagement memberis movably mounted on the holding member and moved in unison with theslider for being engaged with the shutter member. The slider engages theshutter engagement member with the shutter member of the disc cartridgeinserted into the holding member for moving the disc cartridge to aclosure position of the shutter member.

With the present cartridge holder, the slider mounted for sliding in thefore-and-aft direction on a holding member holding the disc cartridgeinserted from the front side is engaged with the shutter member of thedisc cartridge inserted into the holder member by movement of theshutter engagement member movably mounted on the holding member. Theslider moves the disc cartridge to a position of opening of the shuttermember. The disc cartridge houses a recording disc and has the shuttermember on its lateral side extending in the inserting direction, withthe shutter member being slidable along the inserting direction foropening or closing an aperture in the disc cartridge.

Thus, with the present cartridge holder, the disc cartridge can be heldwith the shutter member remaining in the closure state.

That is, according to the present invention, the disc cartridge may bemaintained under the state of optimum storage by holding the disccartridge without opening the shutter member.

The holding member of the cartridge holder is movably supported by achassis member and the shutter engagement member is engaged with thechassis member when the shutter engagement member is disengaged from theshutter member.

In such case, the cartridge holder is movable relative to the chassismember under the opening state of the shutter member, while beingprohibited from being moved relative to the chassis member when the disccartridge is held with the shutter member in the closed state.

Thus, when the cartridge holder is applied to the disc changer device,it becomes possible for the transporting device of the disc changerdevice to transport the disc cartridge held by the cartridge holderalong with the cartridge holder, thus rendering it possible to simplifythe construction of the disc changer device.

That is, when applied to the disc changer device, the present inventionprovides a cartridge holder which renders it possible to facilitateassembling of the disc changer device without complicating theconstruction of the disc changer device.

The disc changer device according to the present invention includes arecording disc holding unit holding plural recording discs in tiers,transporting means for transporting one of recording discs held in therecording disc holding unit for loading on the recording and/orreproducing unit, and a movement device for moving the transportingmeans between positions associated with the recording discs for causingthe transporting means to select one of the recording discs. Thetransporting means is driven by a first motor and the movement means isdriven by a second motor.

With the present disc changer device, the transporting mechanism fortransporting one of the recording discs held by the recording discholding unit holding plural recording discs in tiers and for loading thetransported recording disc on the recording and/or reproducing unit isdriven by a first motor, while the movement mechanism for moving thetransporting mechanism across the positions facing the recording discsis driven by a second motor.

Consequently, with the present disc changer device, the operations ofselecting the recording disc, transporting the selected recording discand loading the transported disc on the recording and/or reproducingunit can be performed by two motors.

Thus the present invention provides a disc changer device capable ofsatisfactorily recording and/or reproducing information signals on orfrom plural recording discs despite the small-sized and simplifiedconstruction and facilitated assembling.

The movement device of the disc changer device includes a profiling pininserted into a guide slit formed in an object to be moved for extendingin an up-and-down direction so that the profiling pin is movable only inthe up-and-down direction, a first cam plate having at least one firsthorizontal section, a second horizontal section contiguous to the firsthorizontal section via a branch point and a first inclined section andlying above the first horizontal section and a third horizontal sectioncontiguous to the first horizontal section via the branch point and asecond inclined section and lying below the first horizontal section.The first cam plate is horizontally movable between an initial positionpositioning the profiling pin at the first horizontal section and anoperative position positioning the profiling pin at the second positionor the third position, movement means for periodically moving the firstcam plate in reciprocation in a forward direction and in a reversedirection between the initial position and the operative position, and asecond cam plate having at least one horizontal abutment support andbeing horizontally movable between a supporting position supporting theprofiling pin by said abutment support and a non-supporting positionreceding the abutment support away from a locus of movement of theprofiling pin. The second cam plate is periodically movable inreciprocation in a forward direction and in a reverse direction by themovement means with a pre-set phase difference relative to the first camplate. When the movement means performs a forward periodic movement andthe first cam plate is horizontally moved from the initial position tosaid operative position, the second cam plate is at the supportingposition during the time the profiling pin passes through the branchingpoint, thereby guiding the profiling pin to the first inclined sectioncontiguous to the second horizontal section. When the movement meansperforms a reverse periodic movement and the first cam plate ishorizontally moved from the initial position to the operative position,the second cam plate is at the non-supporting position during the timethe profiling pin passes through the branching point, thereby guidingthe profiling pin to the second inclined section contiguous to the thirdhorizontal section.

The disc changer device has a movement device includes a profiling pininserted into a guide slit formed in an object to be moved for extendingfrom one to the opposite side. The profiling pin is movable only in adirection along the guide slit. The disc changer device also includesbiasing means for biasing the object towards the one side, a first camplate having at least one first halt portion formed in a directionsubstantially normal to the guide slit, a second halt portion contiguousto the first halt portion via a branching point and a first inclinedsection inclined relative to the direction of the guide slit, and athird halt portion contiguous to the first halt portion via thebranching point and a second inclined section inclined relative to thedirection of the guide slit. The second halt portion is closer to theopposite side than the first halt portion, while the third halt portionis closer to the one side than the first halt portion. The first camplate moves the profiling pin in a direction substantially normal to theguide slit between an initial position abuttingly supporting theprofiling pin by the first halt portion and an operative positionabuttingly supporting the profiling pin by the second halt portion or bythe third halt portion. The disc changer device also includes movementmeans for periodically moving the first cam plate in reciprocation in aforward direction and in a reverse direction between the initialposition and the operative position, and a second cam plate having atleast one abutment support and being movable by the abutment support ina direction substantially normal to the guide slit between a supportingposition abuttingly supporting the profiling pin by the abutment supportand a non-supporting position receding the abutment support away fromthe locus of movement of the profiling pin. The second cam plate isperiodically movable by the movement means in reciprocation in a forwarddirection and in a reverse direction with a pre-set phase differencerelative to the first cam. When the movement means performs a forwardperiodic movement and the first cam plate is moved from the initialposition to the operative position, the second cam plate is at thesupporting position during the time the profiling pin passes through thebranching point, thereby prohibiting the profiling pin from being movedin one direction under the bias of the biasing means and guiding theprofiling pin to the first inclined section contiguous to the secondhorizontal section. When the movement means performs a reverse periodicmovement and the first cam plate is moved from the initial position tothe operative position, the second cam plate is at the non-supportingposition during the time the profiling pin passes through the branchingpoint, thereby enabling the profiling pin to be moved in one directionunder the bias of the biasing means and guiding the profiling pin to thesecond inclined section contiguous to the third horizontal section.

In the above disc changer device of the present invention, the movementmeans has a rotatable cam member and rotational driving means forselectively rotating the rotatable cam member in a forward direction andin a reverse direction. The rotatable cam member has a first cam sectionfor moving a first cam plate and a second cam section for moving asecond cam plate.

In he above disc changer device of the present invention, the abutmentsupport of the second cam plate is a side edge of a lug having one endsupported by a main member of the second cam plate and having theopposite end as a free end. The second cam plate is moved inreciprocation in a forward direction and in a reverse direction with aperiod equal to one-half the period of reciprocating movement of thefirst cam plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an arrangement of amovement device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view showing essentialportions of an arrangement of the movement device.

FIG. 3 is a side view, partially broken away, showing essential portionsof the movement device.

FIG. 4 is a plan view, partially broken away, showing essential portionsof the movement device.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a second cam plate of the movement device.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a first cam plate of the movement device.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the shape of the first cam plate.

FIG. 8 is a side view, partially broken away, showing an arrangement ofmovement means constituting the movement device.

FIG. 9 is a plan view, partially broken away, showing an arrangement ofthe movement means.

FIG. 10 is a side view, partially broken away, showing an arrangement ofa modified movement device.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate in theinitial state of the movement device.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device is rotated through

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device ms rotated through 60°.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device is rotated through 90°.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device is rotated through 120°.

FIG. 16 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device is rotated through 150°.

FIG. 17 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device is rotated through 180°.

FIG. 18 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device is rotated through 180°.

FIG. 19 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device is rotated through 210°.

FIG. 20 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device is rotated through 240°.

FIG. 21 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device is rotated through 270°.

FIG. 22 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device is rotated through 300°.

FIG. 23 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device is rotated through 330°.

FIG. 24 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device is rotated through 360°.

FIG. 25 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate in theinitial state of a modification of the movement device.

FIG. 26 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through30°.

FIG. 27 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through60°.

FIG. 28 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through45°.

FIG. 29 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through60°.

FIG. 30 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through75°.

FIG. 31 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through90°.

FIG. 32 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through105°.

FIG. 33 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through120°.

FIG. 34 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through135°.

FIG. 35 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through150°.

FIG. 36 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through165°.

FIG. 37 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through180°.

FIG. 38 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear In the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through195°.

FIG. 39 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through210°.

FIG. 40 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through225°.

FIG. 41 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through240°.

FIG. 42 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through255°.

FIG. 43 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through270°.

FIG. 44 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through285°.

FIG. 45 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through300°.

FIG. 48 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through315°.

FIG. 47 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through330°.

FIG. 48 is a side view showing the state of each cam plate when thedriving gear in the movement device shown in FIG. 25 is rotated through345°.

FIG. 49 is a graph showing the moved state of each cam plate in themovement device shown in FIGS. 25 to 48.

FIG. 50 is a graph showing the moved state of each cam plate in themovement device shown in FIGS. 1 to 24.

FIG. 51 is a graph showing the moved state of each phase-shifted camplate in the movement device shown in FIGS. 1 to 24.

FIG. 52 is a graph showing the moved state of each cam plate in themovement device shown in FIGS. 1 to 24, with the phase-shift directionof each cam plate having been reversed.

FIG. 53 is an exploded perspective view showing an arrangement of arecording and/or reproducing apparatus having the movement device.

FIG. 54 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an overallarrangement of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus according tothe present invention.

FIG. 55 is an exploded perspective view showing an arrangement of acartridge holder of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 56 is a plan view showing an arrangement of the cartridge holder.

FIG. 57 is a plan view sowing a thrust state of a side plate in thecartridge holder.

FIG. 58 is a plan view showing the state in which the side plate in theabove cartridge holder is further thrust from the state shown in FIG.30.

FIG. 59 is an exploded perspective view showing an arrangement of atransporting device in the above recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 60 is an exploded perspective view showing an arrangement of a discstocker in the above recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 61 is a plan view showing an arrangement of the above recordingand/or reproducing apparatus, with a portion thereof being broken awayin order to render the inside thereof visible.

FIG. 62 is a side view showing an arrangement of the above recordingand/or reproducing apparatus, with a portion thereof being broken awayin order to render the inside thereof visible.

FIG. 63 is a front view showing an arrangement of the above recordingand/or reproducing apparatus, with a portion thereof being broken awayin order to render the inside thereof visible.

FIG. 64 is an enlarged plan view showing an arrangement of essentialportions of a side plate of a cartridge holder of the above recordingand/or reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 65 is a plan view showing a cartridge holder housed in the discstocker.

FIG. 66 is a plan view showing the state of the disc cartridge beingintroduced into the cartridge holder housed within the disc stocker.

FIG. 67 is a plan view showing the state in which the disc cartridge isbeing introduced into the cartridge holder housed within the discstocker.

FIG. 68 is a plan view showing the state in which the disc cartridge hasbeen introduced into the cartridge holder housed within the discstocker.

FIG. 69 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view showing essentialportions of the cartridge holder.

FIG. 70 is a plan view showing the state of the cartridge holder and thetransporting device when the disc cartridge is introduced into thecartridge holder housed within the disc stocker.

FIG. 71 is a plan view showing the state of the cartridge holder and thetransporting device when the disc cartridge has been introduced into thecartridge holder housed within the disc stocker.

FIG. 72 is a plan view showing the state in which the transportingdevice has started entraining the disc cartridge into the cartridgeholder.

FIG. 73 is a plan view showing the state in which the transportingdevice is entraining the disc cartridge into the cartridge holder.

FIG. 74 is a plan view showing the state in which the transportingdevice has entrained the disc cartridge into the cartridge holder.

FIG. 75 is a plan view showing the state in which the transportingdevice has started pulling the cartridge holder out of the cartridgeholder.

FIG. 76 is a plan view showing the state in which the transportingdevice has pulled the cartridge holder out of the cartridge holder.

FIG. 77 is a plan view showing the state in which the transportingdevice is pulling the cartridge holder out of the cartridge holder.

FIG. 78 is a plan view showing an arrangement of the transporting devicein an initial state.

FIGS. 79 and 80 are plan views showing the transporting device showingthe state of holding the side plate of the cartridge holder.

FIG. 81 is a plan view showing the transporting device when thecartridge holder has been pulled out.

FIG. 82 is a plan view showing an arrangement of a mechanical chassis onwhich the disc cartridge is to be loaded, with the inside of the chassisbeing seen from outside.

FIG. 83 is a plan view showing the mechanical chassis when loading thedisc cartridge.

FIG. 84 is a side view showing an arrangement of a mechanical chassis onwhich the disc cartridge is to be loaded, with the inside of thearrangement being seen from outside.

FIG. 85 is a side view showing the mechanical chassis when the disccartridge is loaded for executing the playback mode.

FIG. 86 is a side view showing the mechanical chassis when the disccartridge is loaded for executing the recording mode.

FIG. 87 is a plan view showing a disc drive constituting the mechanicalchassis, with the inside of the disc drive being seen from outside.

FIG. 88 is a side view showing an arrangement of the disc drive, withthe inside of the arrangement being seen from outside.

FIG. 89 is a plan view showing the contour of a base plate constitutingthe transporting device.

FIG. 90 is a plan view showing the contour of a cam gear constitutingthe transporting device.

FIG. 91 is a plan view showing the contour of a switching armconstituting the transporting device.

FIG. 92 is a plan view showing the contour of a holding arm constitutingthe transporting device.

FIG. 93 is a plan view showing a modification of the cartridge holder.

FIG. 94 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of arecording/reproducing disc cartridge loaded on the recording and/orreproducing apparatus, when looking from above.

FIG. 95 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of a replay-onlydisc cartridge loaded on the recording and/or reproducing apparatus,when looking from above.

FIG. 96 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of arecording/reproducing disc cartridge loaded on the recording and/orreproducing apparatus, when looking from below.

FIG. 97 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of a replay-onlydisc cartridge loaded on the recording and/or reproducing apparatus,when looking from below.

FIG. 98 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of a grade parkingplace having the above movement device.

FIG. 99 is a schematic side view showing an arrangement of a firstexample of a conventional movement device in an initial state.

FIG. 100 is a side view showing the state in which a plate cam has beenmoved by one-quarter in the movement device shown in FIG. 99.

FIG. 101 is a side view showing the state in which the plate cam hasbeen moved by one-half in the movement device shown in FIG. 99.

FIG. 102 is a side view showing the state in which the plate cam hasbeen moved by three-fourths in the movement device shown in FIG. 99.

FIG. 103 is a side view showing the state in which movement of the platecam has been completed in the movement device shown in FIG. 99.

FIG. 104 is a schematic side view showing an arrangement of a secondexample of the conventional movement device in its initial state.

FIG. 105 is a side view showing the state in which a rotary plate camhas been rotated by one-quarter in the movement device shown in FIG.104.

FIG. 106 is a side view showing the state in which the rotary plate camhas been rotated by one-half in the movement device shown in FIG. 104.

FIG. 107 is a side view showing the state in which the rotary plate camhas been rotated by three-fourths in the movement device shown in FIG.104.

FIG. 108 is a side view showing the state in which movement of therotary plate cam has been completed in the movement device shown in FIG.104.

FIG. 109 is a schematic showing an arrangement of a third example of theconventional movement device in its initial state.

FIG. 110 is a side view showing the state in which a bell crank has beenrotated by one-quarter in the movement device shown in FIG. 109.

FIG. 111 is a side view showing the state in which the bell crank hasbeen rotated by one-half in the movement device shown in FIG. 109.

FIG. 112 is a side view showing the state in which the bell crank hasbeen rotated by three-fourths in the movement device shown in FIG. 109.

FIG. 113 is a side view showing the state in which movement of the bellcrank has been completed in the movement device shown in FIG. 104.

FIG. 114 is a schematic showing an arrangement of a fourth example ofthe conventional movement device in its initial state.

FIG. 115 is a side view showing the state in which a horizontal rod hasbeen rotated by one-half in the movement device shown in FIG. 114.

FIG. 116 is a side view showing the state in which the horizontal rodhas been rotated by one-quarter in the movement device shown in FIG.114.

FIG. 117 is a side view showing the state in which the horizontal rodhas been rotated by three-fourths in the movement device shown in FIG.114.

FIG. 118 is a side view showing the state in which movement of thehorizontal rod has been completed in the movement device shown in FIG.114.

FIG. 119 is a schematic showing an arrangement of a fifth example of theconventional movement device in its initial state.

FIG. 120 is a side view showing the state in which each rotary link hasbeen rotated by one-fourth in the movement device shown in FIG. 119.

FIG. 121 is a side view showing the state in which each rotary link hasbeen rotated by one-half in the movement device shown in FIG. 119.

FIG. 122 is a side view showing the state in which each rotary link hasbeen rotated by three-fourths in the movement device shown in FIG. 119.

FIG. 123 is a side view showing the state in which movement of eachrotary link has been completed in the movement device shown in FIG. 119.

FIG. 124 is a schematic showing an arrangement of a sixth example of theconventional movement device in its initial state.

FIG. 125 is side view showing the state in which a Geneva wheel in themovement device shown in FIG. 124 is rotated through 15°.

FIG. 128 is side view showing the state in which the Geneva wheel in themovement device shown in FIG. 124 is rotated through 30°.

FIG. 127 is side view showing the state in which the Geneva wheel in themovement device shown in FIG. 124 is rotated through 45°.

FIG. 128 is side view showing the state in which the Geneva wheel in themovement device shown in FIG. 124 is rotated through 60°.

FIG. 129 is side view showing the state in which the Geneva wheel in themovement device shown in FIG. 124 is rotated through 75°.

FIG. 130 is side view showing the state in which the Geneva wheel in themovement device shown in FIG. 124 is rotated through 90°.

FIG. 131 is side view showing the state in which the Geneva wheel in themovement device shown in FIG. 124 is rotated through 105°.

FIG. 132 is side view showing the state in which the Geneva wheel in themovement device shown in FIG. 124 is rotated through 120°.

FIG. 133 is side view showing the state in which the Geneva wheel in themovement device shown in FIG. 124 is rotated through 135°.

FIG. 134 is side view showing the state in which the Geneva wheel in themovement device shown in FIG. 124 is rotated through 150°.

FIG. 135 is side view showing the state in which the Geneva wheel in themovement device shown in FIG. 124 is rotated through 165°.

FIG. 136 is side view showing the state in which the Geneva wheel in themovement device shown in FIG. 124 is rotated through 180°.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the presentinvention will be explained in detail.

The movement device according to the present invention is adapted tomove an object on a straight trajectory within a pre-set range. In thepresent embodiment, the movement device according to the presentinvention is designed as a device for vertically moving an object 11.Thus the object 11 is biased downward under the effect of gravity.

The object 11 has on its both lateral sides a forward pair and a rearpair of profiling pins 12, 13, 12 and 13. The object 11 is arrangedbetween a pair of sidewall sections 1, 2 set upright on a base plate 10parallel to each other. The sidewall sections 1, 2 are each formed witha forward pair and a rear pair of guide slits 8, 9, 8 and 9, which areformed as vertically extending straight slits. The profiling pins 12,13, 12 and 13 are introduced into the slits 8, 9, 8 and 9. Thus theobject 11 is vertically movable within a range of possible movement ofthe profiling pins 12, 13, 12 and 13 in the guide slits 8, 9, 8 and 9,as indicated by arrows D and C in FIG. 2.

On the outer sides of the sidewall sections 1 and 2 are mounted a leftside pair and a right side pair of first and second cam plates 4, 3, 4and 3 for movement in the fore-and-aft direction. The first cam plate 4is substantially planar and has a central upper supporting slit 33 andlower lateral supporting slits 34, 35, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. On thesidewall section 1 are formed outwardly extending supporting stud pins5, 6 and 7, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. These stud pins 5 to 7 are passedthrough the supporting slits 33 to 35 for supporting the first cam plate4 for sliding in the fore-and-aft direction. The first cam plate 4 ismovable a distance corresponding to the length of the supporting slits33 to 35. Similarly to the sidewall section 2, the opposite sidewallsection 2 also has supporting stud pins 5, 6 and 7 for supporting thefirst cam plate 4 for movement in the fore-and-aft direction. Thesefirst cam plates 4, 4 are of the same shape and are mounted with theback sides thereof directed to the sidewall sections 1 and 2.

A forward pair and a rear pair of cam slits 38, 39 similar in contour toeach other are formed in both lateral sides of the first cam plate 4.These cam slits 38, 39 are each zigzag-shaped by having pluralhorizontal sections (halt portions) 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d, 38e, 38f, 38g,38h, 38i, 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d, 39e, 39f, 39g, 39h, 39i and inclinedsections sequentially interconnecting these horizontal sections. Thehorizontal sections 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d, 38e, 38f, 38g, 38h, 38i aredifferent in height level and staggered in the fore-and-aft direction.

That is, if, with the forward side cam slit 38, the second highesthorizontal section 38b is the first horizontal section, the highesthorizontal section 38a communicates with the first horizontal section38b via a branching point and a first inclined section. The highesthorizontal section 38a is higher in height level than the firsthorizontal section 38b. Thus the highest horizontal section 38a is thesecond horizontal section. The first horizontal section 38b, lower inheight than the second horizontal section 38a, communicates with thethird highest horizontal section 38c via the branching point and asecond inclined section. Thus the third highest horizontal section 38cis the third horizontal section. The same holds true for the remaininghorizontal sections 38c to 38h (the lowest horizontal section 38i isexcluded). That is, if any of these sections is the first horizontalsection, the first horizontal section communicates with a secondhorizontal section via a branching point and a first inclined sectionand with a third horizontal section via the branching point and a secondinclined section. The same holds true for the rear side cam slit 39.

These first cam plates 4, 4 are movable between a rear position or aninitial position in which the forward side horizontal sections 38a, 38c,38e, 38g, 38i, 39a, 39c, 39e, 39g and 39i of the cam slits 38, 39 aresuperimposed on the guide slits 8, 9 and a forward position or anoperative position in which the rear side horizontal sections 38b, 38d,38f, 38h, 39b, 39d, 39f, 39h of the cam slits 38, 39 are superimposed onthe guide slits 8, 9.

The second cam plate 3 is substantially planar and similar in size tothe first cam plate 4, and has an upper central supporting slit 28 andlower both side supporting slits 29, 30, as shown in FIG. 5. Thesupporting stud pins 5, 6, 7 are passed through these supporting slits28, 29, 30 for supporting the second cam plate 3 for sliding in thefore-and-aft direction. That is, the distance of possible movement ofthe second cam plate 3 corresponds to the length of each of thesupporting slits 28, 29, 30. On the opposite sidewall section 2,similarly to the sidewall section 1, the second cam plate 3 is supportedby the supporting stud pins 5, 6, 7 for movement in the fore-and-aftdirection. These second cam plates 3, 3 are similar to each other inshape and are mounted with the respective back sides facing the sidewallsections 1, 2. These second cam plates 3, 3 are interposed between thefirst cam plates 4, 4 and the sidewall sections 1, 2.

Each of the second cam plates 3, 3 has a forward set and a rear set ofabutting supporting pieces 31, 32. These abutting supporting pieces 31,32 are formed the rear edges of through-holes 45, 46 formed in thesecond cam plate 3. These sets of abutting supporting pieces 31, 31 areeach similar in shape to each other and are each composed of pluralabutting supporting pieces. Each abutting supporting piece has itsproximal side integrally connected to and supported by the main memberof the second cam plate 3 and has its distal free end protruded intoeach of the through-holes 45, 46. Thus the sets of the abuttingsupporting pieces 31, 32 are each comb-shaped. Each abutting supportingpiece has its upper end formed as abutment supports 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d,31e, 31f, 31g, 31h, 31i, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, 32f, 32g, 32h and 32i.These abutting supports 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e, 31f, 31g, 31h, 31i,32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, 32f, 32g, 32h and 32i are of height levelscorresponding to those of the horizontal sections 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d,39e, 39f, 39g, 39h, 39i of the first cam plate 4.

These second cam plates 3, 3 may be moved between a forward sideposition, that is a supporting position, of superimposing the abuttingsupports 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e, 31f, 31g, 31h, 31i, with the guideslits 8, 9, and a rear position, that is a non-supporting position, ofreceding the abutting supports 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e, 31f, 31g, 31h,31i towards the back side of the guide slits 8, 9.

A lower mid side of the second cam plate 3 is provided with a slit 44through which a support shaft 24 of a rotary cam member 25 as laterexplained is passed and a profiling pin 40 engaged for profilingmovement in a cam groove 27 in the rotary cam member 25.

The profiling pins 12, 13, 12, 13 are passed through the guide slits 8,9, 8, 9 and through the through-holes 45, 46, 45, 46 in the second camplates 3, 3 and the cam slits 38, 39, 38, 39 of the first cam plates 4,4.

The movement device is provided with movement means composed of a leftpair and a right pair of rotary cam members 25, 25, rotatably mounted onthe sidewall sections 1, 2 via supporting shafts 24, 24 and a motor 14as rotational driving means for the rotary cam members 25, 25.

The motor 14 is mounted on the base 10. A driving pulley 15 is mountedon a driving shaft of the motor 14. An endless driving belt 16 is placedaround the driving pulley 15. The endless driving belt 16 is placedaround a follower pulley 17 rotatably mounted on the base 10. That is,the follower pulley 17 is rotated by the motor 14. A worm gear 18 ismounted as one and coaxially with the follower pulley 17. The worm gear18 meshes with a worm wheel 19 mounted on a rotation transmitting shaft20 mounted for rotation between the sidewall sections 1 and 2. Therotation transmitting shaft 20 has its both ends protruded outwardly ofthe sidewall sections 1 and 2 and first transmission gears 21, 21 aremounted on the protruded ends of the shaft 20, as shown in FIGS. 8 and9. Each of the first transmission gears 21, 21 meshes with secondtransmission gears 23, 23 rotatably mounted on the sidewall sections 1,2 via support shafts 22, 22. These first transmission gears 21, 21 areengaged in gears 43, 43 formed on the outer rims of the rotary cammembers 25, 25. That is, the rotary cam members 25, 25 are run inrotation in the same direction (in the mutually reverse directions whenlooking from the side of the support shaft 24) by the motor 14 which isrun in rotation.

The rotary cam members 25, 25 are arranged between the first cam plates4, 3, 4, 3 by the support shafts 24, 24 being passed through the slits44, 44 in the second cam plates 3, 3. On the surface of the rotary cammember 25 facing the back side of the first cam plate 4 is set a drivingpin 28 acting as a first cam member. The driving pin 26 is passedthrough and engaged with a profiling slit 36 formed in an up-and-downdirection at a mid portion of the first cam plate 4. That is, when therotary cam members 25, 25 make one complete revolution, the first camplates 4, 4 perform a complete revolution between the initial positionand the operative position as indicated by arrow A in FIG. 2. The backsurface of the first cam plate 4 is formed a recess 37 for avoidingabutment by the rotary cam member 25.

On the back sides of the rotary cam members 25, 25 facing the frontsurfaces of the second cam plates 3, 3 are formed the cam grooves 27, 27acting as second cam members. These cam grooves 27, 27 are oval-shapedand include two distal points separated 180° from each other and twomedial points separated 90° from these distal points and separated 180°from each other. The cam groove 27 is engaged by the profiling pin 40set upright on the surface of the second cam plate 3. That is, when therotary cam members 25, 25 complete one revolution, the second cam plates3, 3 are reciprocated twice in the fore-and-aft direction between thesupporting position and the non-supporting position as indicated byarrow B in FIG. 2.

Meanwhile, both sides of the second cam plate 3 may be used and, to thisend, a pair of engagement openings 41, 42 are formed on both sides ofthe slit 44 in order to permit the profiling pins 40 to be set uprighton both sides of the second cam plate. Specifically, the second camplates 3, 3 are of the same shape and the cam plate 3 mounted on thesidewall section 1 has its front surface directed to the outer lateralside of the base 10 while the cam plate 3 mounted on the oppositesidewall section 2 has its back surface directed to the outer side ofthe base 10. The profiling pin 40 is set on one of the engagement holes41, 42 and on the front or back surface of the second cam plate 3depending on which of the sidewall sections 1, 2 the second cam plate 3is mounted. That is, the profiling pin 40 is set in the rear engagementopening 41 in a direction towards the outer surface of the base 10 onthe second cam plate 3 mounted on one of the sidewall sections 1, and inthe front engagement opening 42 in a direction towards the outer surfaceof the base 10 on the second cam plate 3 mounted on the oppositesidewall sections 2.

The first and second cam plates 4, 3, 4, 3 are periodically reciprocatedwith a pre-set phase difference from each other by rotation of therotatable cam members 25, 25. As regards the cam plates 3, 4 mounted onthe sidewall section 1, if the rotary cam member 25 is rotatedclockwise, there is produced a phase difference such that the maximumpoint of the sliding movement of the second cam plate 3, correspondingto the maximum rightward movement of the second cam plate to thenon-supporting position, is delayed 45° in terms of the rotational angleof the rotary cam member 25 with respect to the maximum point of thesliding movement of the first cam plate 4 corresponding to the maximumrightward or leftward movement of the first cam plate 4 to the initialposition or to the operative position, as shown in FIG. 51. As regardsthe cam plates 3, 4 mounted on the opposite sidewall section 2, if therotary cam member 25 is rotated counterclockwise, there is produced aphase difference such that the maximum point of the sliding movement ofthe second cam plate 3, corresponding to the maximum rightward movementof the second cam plate to the supporting position, is advanced 45° interms of the rotational angle of the rotary cam member 25 with respectto the maximum point of the sliding movement of the first cam plate 4corresponding to the maximum rightward or leftward movement of the firstcam plate 4 to the initial position or to the operative position, asshown in FIG. 52.

The sidewall section 1 or 2 is provided with a thrust switch 47 fordetecting that the first cam plate 4 is at the initial position, asshown in FIG. 8. When the first cam plate 4 is at the above-mentionedinitial position, the thrust switch 47 is thrust by a switch thrustingpiece 48 or 49 protruded from the lower surface of the first cam plate 4for detecting that the first cam plate 4 is not at the initial position.If the first cam plate 4 is not at the initial position, the thrustswitch 47 is not thrust.

With the above-described movement device, the rotary cam member 25 maybe replaced by first and second cam gears 51, 53 meshing with eachother, as shown in FIGS. 10-24. In such case, the first cam plate 4 isperiodically reciprocated by a driving pin 52 set upright on the firstcam gear 51. The second cam plate 3 is periodically reciprocated by adriving pin 54 set upright on the second cam gear 54. The second camgear 53 has the number of teeth equal to one-half that of the first camgear 51 and hence is rotated at a period equal to one-half that of thefirst cam gear 51. Consequently, the operation of the cam plates 3 and 4is similar to the operation of the movement device having the rotatablecam member 25. In this case, the first and second cam gears 51, 53 arerotated in mutually reverse directions. Consequently, as regards the camplates 3, 4, if the first cam gear 51 is rotated clockwise, there isproduced a phase difference such that the maximum point of the slidingmovement of the second cam plate 3 corresponding to the maximumrightward movement of the second cam plate as far as the non-supportingposition is delayed 45° in terms of the rotational angle of the firstcam gear 51 with respect to the maximum point of sliding movement of thefirst cam plate 4 corresponding to the maximum rightward or leftwardmovement of the first cam plate as far as the above-mentioned initialposition or the operative position, as shown in FIG. 50.

With the above-mentioned movement device having the first and second camplates 4, 3, the object 11 is raised or lowered depending on whether therotational driving direction of the motor 14 is positive or negative.

Specifically, it is assumed that, when the first cam gear 51 is at theinitial position (0° position), the first cam plate 4 is at the initialposition and the profiling pin 12 is positioned at the n'th horizontalsection 38n of the cam slit 38, as shown in FIG. 11. If the fist camgear 51 starts to be rotated and has assumed a position rotatedclockwise 30°, the second cam plate 3 is at the above-mentioned supportposition, as shown in FIG. 12. That is, the profiling pin 12 issupported at the n'th abutting supporting section 31n. When the firstcam gear 51 is at the 60° position, the second cam plate 3 is still atthe above-mentioned support position, while the profiling pin 12 isstill at the branch point of the cam slit 38, as shown in FIG. 13.However, the profiling pin 12 is supported by the n'th abutting support31n without being moved downwards.

When the first cam gear 51 is at the 90° position, the second cam plate3 is about to be moved away from the supporting position towards thenon-supporting position, as shown in FIG. 14. The profiling pin 12traverses the branch point of the cam slit 38 and is about to reach thefirst inclined section. When the first cam gear 51 reaches the 120°position, the profiling pin 12 traverses the branch point of the camslit 38 and is supported on the first inclined section, as shown in FIG.15. Since the second cam plate 3 is at the non-supporting position, theprofiling pin 12 is moved upwards along the first inclined section. Whenthe first cam gear 51 reaches the 150° position, the profiling pin 12 isat the second horizontal section 38(n-1), with the horizontal section38n being assumed to be the first horizontal section, as shown in FIG.18.

When the first cam gear 51 is at the 180° position, the first cam plate4 is at the operative position, while the profiling pin 12 is supportedby the horizontal section, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. When the firstcam gear 51 is further rotated as far as the 210° position, the secondcam plate 3 is at the above-mentioned supporting position, as shown inFIG. 19. That is, the profiling pin 12 is supported by the abutmentsupport. When the first cam gear 51 is at the 240° position, the secondcam plate 3 is still at the above-mentioned supporting position, asshown in FIG. 20. Although the profiling pin 12 is positioned at thebranch point of the cam slit 38, it is supported by the abutment supportwithout being moved downwards.

When the first cam gear 51 reaches the 270° position, the second camplate 3 is about to be moved away from the supporting position to thenon-supporting position, as shown in FIG. 21. However, the profiling pin12 traverses the branch point of the cam slit 38 and is about to reachthe inclined section. When the first cam gear reaches the 300° position,the second cam plate 3 is at the non-supporting position, as shown inFIG. 22. However, the profiling pin 12 already traverses the branchpoint of the cam slit 38 and is now supported on the inclined section.When the first cam gear reaches the 330° position, the traversing pin 12is in the vicinity of the horizontal section, as shown in FIG. 23. Whenthe first cam gear 51 is further rotated 30° to return to the 360°position, that is to the 0° position, the first cam plate 4 is at theinitial position, while the profiling pin 12 is at the (n-2)thhorizontal section 38(n-2) of the cam slit 38.

That is, by one complete clockwise rotation of the first cam gear 51,the profiling pin 12 is moved from the n'th horizontal section 38n ofthe cam slit 38 to the horizontal section 38(n-2) directly above thehorizontal section 38n. Thus the object 11 is sequentially moved towardsabove by continued positive rotation of the first cam gear 51.

If the first cam gear 51 is rotated counterclockwise, the processreversed from the process shown in FIGS. 11 to 24 is followed, that isthe state shown in FIG. 11 in which the profiling pin 12 is positionedat the horizontal section 38n is reached beginning from the state shownin FIG. 24 in which the profiling pin 12 is positioned at the horizontalsection 38(n-2). This causes descent of the object 11. Thus the object11 is sequentially lowered by continued counterclockwise rotation of thefirst cam gear 51.

The abutment support of the second cam plate 3 in the movement deviceaccording to the present invention is not limited to the above-describedcomb-shaped abutting support 61 as shown in FIG. 25 in which both endsare free ends to permit passage of the profiling pin 12. In this case,the second cam gear 53 is replaced by a cam gear 57 having the sameradius as the first cam gear 51 (R₁ =R₂) and the same number of teeth asthat of the first cam gear 51, as shown in FIG. 25. The cam gear 57causes the periodic reciprocating movement of the third cam plate 3 by adriving pin 58. With the present movement device, the cam plates 3, 4are reciprocated with the same period with a phase differencetherebetween such that, when the first cam gear 51 is rotated clockwisein FIG. 49, the second cam gear 3 is delayed relative to the first camplate 4 by 45° in terms of the rotational angle of the first cam gear51.

With the present movement device, the movement device 11 may be raisedor lowered depending on whether the direction of rotational driving ofthe motor 14 is forward or reverse, that is whether the rotationaldirection of the first cam gear 51 is forward or reverse.

Specifically, it is assumed that, when the first cam gear 51 is at theinitial position (0° position), the first cam plate 4 is at the initialposition and the profiling pin 12 is at the horizontal section of thecam slit 60, as shown in FIG. 25. When the first cam gear 51 starts itsrotation and assumes the position in which it has been rotated 30°clockwise, the second cam plate 3 is the supporting position, as shownin FIGS. 26 to 27. That is, the profiling pin 12 is supported on theabutting support 61. When the first cam gear 51 is at the 60° position,the second cam plate 3 is still at the above-mentioned support position,with the profiling pin 12 being positioned at the branch point of thecam slit 60, as shown in FIGS. 28 to 29. The profiling pin 12, however,is supported by the abutting support member 61 without being moveddownwards.

When the first cam gear 51 is at the 90° position, the second cam plate3 is about to be moved away from the supporting position to thenon-supporting position, as shown in FIGS. 30 to 31. However, theprofiling pin 12 traverses the branch point of the cam slit 60 and isabout to reach the first inclined section. When the first cam gear 51 isat the 120° position, the second cam plate 3 is at the above-mentionednon-supporting position, as shown in FIGS. 32 to 33. However, theprofiling pin 12 already traverses the branch point of the cam slit 60and is supported on the first inclined section. When the first cam gear51 is at the 150° position, the profiling pin 12 is at the secondhorizontal section, with the horizontal section positioned at theinitial position being assumed to be the first horizontal section, asshown in FIGS. 34 to 35.

When the first cam gear 51 reaches the 180° position, the first camplate 4 is at the operative position, with the profiling pin 12 beingsupported on the horizontal section, as shown in FIGS. 36 to 37. Whenthe first cam gear 51 is rotated further to its 210° position, thesecond cam plate 3 is at the above-mentioned supporting position, asshown in FIGS. 38 to 39. That is, the profiling pin 12 is supported onthe abutting support member 61. When the first cam gear 51 is at the240° position, the second cam plate 3 is still at the supportingposition, with the profiling pin 12 being positioned at the branch pointof the cam slit 60, as shown in FIGS. 40 to 41. However, the profilingpin 12 is supported by the abutting support member without being moveddownwards.

When the first cam gear 51 is at the 270° position, the second cam plate3 is about to be moved from the supporting position towards thenon-supporting position, as shown in FIGS. 42 to 43. However, theprofiling pin traverses the branch point of the cam slit 60 and is aboutto reach the inclined section. When the first cam gear 51 is at the 300°position, the second cam plate 3 is at the non-supporting position, asshown in FIGS. 44 to 45. However, the profiling pin 12 already traversesthe branch point of the cam slit 60 and is supported on the inclinedsection. When the first cam gear 51 is at the 330° position, theprofiling pin 12 is positioned in the vicinity of the horizontalsection, a shown in FIGS. 46 to 47. When the first cam gear 51 isfurther rotated 30° and returned to the 360° or 0° position, via the345° position, the first cam plate 4 is at the initial position, withthe profiling pin 12 being positioned at the horizontal section directlyabove the horizontal section on which it was supported in the initialstate.

That is, by the clockwise complete revolution (in the positivedirection) of the first cam gear 51, the profiling pin 12 is moved awayfrom the n'th horizontal section 60n of the cam slit 60 to thehorizontal section 60(n-2) directly above the n'th horizontal section.Thus the object 11 is sequentially moved towards above as a result ofcontinued rotation of the first cam gear 51 in the positive direction.

If the first cam gear 51 is rotated in reverse, the process reverse tothat shown in FIGS. 25 to 48 is followed, with the object 11 being moveddownwards. Thus the object is sequentially moved downwards as a resultof continued counterclockwise rotation of the first cam gear 51.

The above-described movement device according to the present inventionmay be applied to a disc changer device, which is the recording and/orreproducing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 53. That is, the above-mentioneddisc changer device is completed by arranging a disc player having anoptical pickup 65, a disc table 64 and disc cartridge positioning pins66, 66, 66, 66 on the movement device 11, and by causing the object 11to face a disc stocker 62 in which plural disc cartridges 68 are stackedin tiers.

With the disc changer device, the object 11 is moved in the up-and-downdirection for selecting one of plural disc cartridges 68 housed withinthe disc stocker 62. The selected disc cartridge 68 is loaded by apull-out mechanism as later explained, and the information signals arerecorded on or reproduced from a recording disc housed within the disccartridge 68. The disc changer device may also be arranged as arecording/reproducing device employing a tape cassette as a recordingmedium in place of the disc cartridge 68.

The movement device according to the present invention may be employedas a so-called lift device such as is employed in a grade car-parkingarea, as shown in FIG. 98. That is, the object 11 is adapted to supporta car 72 thereon, which car may be accommodated on a selected floor onselecting the floor by the object 11 being moved in the up-and-downdirection. In the present embodiment, a fence 73 is provided around theobject 11. There is also provided a slope 75 having a fence 74 on bothsides in order to permit facilitated entrance of the car 72 on theobject 11. The lift device may also be configured to lift the personnelor the cargo in general in place of the car 72.

The movement device according to the present invention is not limited tothe device for lifting the object 11, as in the above-describedembodiment. Thus it may be arranged as a device for moving the object 11in the horizontal direction or in the inclined direction byunidirectionally biasing the object 11 by an elastic member such as aspring. That is, the object 11 may be positively moved in a pre-setdirection corresponding to the direction of rotation of the motor 14 ifthe object 11 is biased in downward movement, even if in the levelleddown state. In the following, the recording and/or reproducing apparatusaccording to the present invention is designed as a disc changer devicein which a plurality of disc cartridges each comprised of a recordingdisc contained in a cartridge main member and in which one of these disccartridges is selected for recording/reproducing information signals onor from the disc contained therein. The disc changer device is nowexplained in the following sequence.

(i) Construction of a disc cartridge (FIGS. 94 to 97)

(ii) Outline of a disc changer device (FIGS. 54 and 61 to 63)

(iii) Construction of a lift device (FIGS. 1 to 24)

(iv) Construction of a mechanical chassis (FIGS. 82 to 88)

(v) Construction of a cartridge holder (FIGS. 55 to 58 and 69)

(vi) Construction of a disc stocker (FIGS. 60, 64 to 68)

(vii) Construction of a transporting device (FIGS. 59, 61, 70 to 81 and89 to 92)

(viii) Operation of a disc changer device

(iX) Another construction of a cartridge holder (FIG. 93)

(i) Construction of a disc cartridge (FIGS. 94 to 97)

As the disc cartridge employed in the disc changer device, arecording/reproducing disc cartridge 320, employing a magneto-opticaldisc as a recording disc, as shown in FIGS. 94 to 96, and a read-onlydisc cartridge 321, employing an optical disc as a recording disc, areselectively employed.

The magneto-optical disc is comprised of a disc substrate, about 64 mmin diameter, formed of a transparent synthetic resin, such aspolycarbonate, and a signal recording layer deposited thereon.Information signals are recorded on the signal recording layer bylocally heating it to a temperature higher than the Curie temperature byradiation of a converged laser beam and by applying an external magneticfield to the heated area. The information signals thus written may beread out by radiating a linearly polarized light beam on the signalrecording layer and by detecting the rotation of the reflected lightbeam in the direction of polarization on the signal recording layerunder the Kerr effect.

The optical disc is comprised of a disc substrate similar to that of themagneto-optical disc and a reflective layer of aluminum or the likemetal deposited thereon. Micro-sized pits corresponding to informationsignals are formed by, for example, injection molding, on the discsubstrate of the optical disc. The information signals written on theoptical disc may be read by radiating a coherent light beam, such as alaser light beam, on the pits, and by detecting changes in the lightvolume caused by diffusion or interference of the reflected light beamby the signal recording layer.

The magneto-optical disc and the optical disc are rotatably housedwithin disc cartridges 305, 316 for making up disc cartridges,respectively, as shown in FIGS. 94 to 97. The cartridge main member 305,housing the magneto-optical disc for completing therecording/reproducing disc cartridge 320, is in the form of a thincasing having a rectangular-shaped major surface having a sidesubstantially equal in length to the diameter of the magneto-opticaldisc. The cartridge main member 305 has an aperture 323 for a magnetichead on its upper major surface for exposing a portion of the signalrecording surface of the disc to outside, as shown in FIG. 94. Thecartridge main member 305 has an aperture 302 for an optical pickup onits lower major surface facing the aperture 323 for the magnetic headand a chuck aperture 313 at a mid portion of the lower major surface, asshown in FIG. 96. The recording/reproducing disc cartridge 320 isinserted in the forward direction into the recording/reproducingapparatus for loading as indicated by arrow T in FIGS. 94 to 96.

With the cartridge main member 305 of the recording/reproducing disccartridge 320, the aperture 323 for the magnetic head and the aperture322 for the optical head may be opened and closed by a shutter member306. The shutter member 306, integrally formed of a synthetic resin ormetal, is made up of shutter plate portions parallel to and facing eachother and a connection portion interconnecting the shutter plateportions. The shutter plate portions are associated with and correspondin size to the apertures 323, 322. The shutter member 306 has theconnecting portion slidably supported in a supporting groove 307 formedon one side of the cartridge main member 305. The shutter member 306 isslid towards rear along a lateral side of the cartridge main member 305for opening the apertures 323, 322, while being returned to the initialposition by being slid from the rear side towards the front side forclosing the aperture 323, 322 by the shutter plate portions.

The cartridge main member 316, housing the optical disc for constitutingthe read-only disc cartridge 321, is in the form of a thin casing havinga rectangular-shaped major surface having a side substantially equal tothe diameter of the optical disc. The cartridge main member 316 is notprovided with an aperture in its upper major surface, as shown in FIG.95. The cartridge main member 316 has an aperture 322 for an opticalpickup in its lower major surface, and a chuck aperture 313 at a midportion in the lower major surface, as shown in FIG. 97. The read-onlydisc cartridge 321 is introduced in the forward direction into therecording and/or reproducing apparatus as shown by arrow T in FIGS. 95and 97.

The aperture 322 for the optical pickup in the cartridge main member 316of the read-only optical pickup may be opened and closed by a shuttermember 317. The shutter member 317 is integrally formed of syntheticresin or metal and is made up of shutter plate members associated withthe aperture 322 for the optical pickup and a supporting portionprovided at one end of the shutter plate portions. The shutter member317 has its supporting portion slidably supported in a supporting groove307 formed on one lateral side of the cartridge main member 316. Theshutter member 317 is slid towards rear along a lateral side of thecartridge main member 316 for opening the aperture 322, while beingreturned to the initial position by being slid from the rear sidetowards the front side for closing the aperture 322 by the shutter plateportions.

A shutter closure opening 308 is formed at a mid portion of theconnecting portion or the supporting portion of the shutter member 306or 317 for extending to the lateral surface. The shutter openingaperture 308 is adapted for being engaged by a closure member of thedisc changer device for closing the shutter members 306 or 317.

A circular chuck aperture 304 is formed at a mid portion of themagneto-optical disc or the optical disc. The circular chuck aperture304 is closed from its upper surface by a chuck plate 302. The chuckplate 302 is formed of a magnetic metal material, such as iron orstainless steel, and is formed as a disc of a diameter substantiallycorresponding to the size of the chuck aperture 304. The chuck aperture304 and the chuck plate 302 are exposed to the outside of the cartridgemain members 305, 316 via the chuck aperture 313.

The lower major surfaces of the cartridge main members 305, 316 are eachformed with forward and rear positioning holes 309, 310. The forwardpositioning hole 309 is positioned near the edge of the forward majorsurface of the aperture 322 for the optical pickup and is in the form ofan oblong circle having the long diameter extending in the fore-and-aftdirection. The rear positioning hole 310 is circular-shaped andpositioned near the edge of the rear major surface of the aperture 322for the optical pickup.

A plurality of discrimination openings 324 are formed near the edge ofthe rear side of the lower major surface of each of the cartridge mainmembers 305, 316. These discrimination openings 324 are used foridentifying the type of state of the disc housed within the cartridgemain member 305 or 316, for example, for judging whether or notinformation signals can be recorded thereon. The rear side of thecartridge main member 305 of the recording/reproducing disc cartridge320 has a save notch 314 in association with the discrimination openings324. On sliding movement, the save notch 314 is intruded into andreceded from one of the discrimination openings 324 for varying thedepth of the opening 324 for changing over the discriminating state asto recordability of the information signals. The front side of the lowermajor surface of each disc cartridge 305, 316 is formed with a matingengagement recess 312.

With the cartridge main member 305 of the recording/reproducing disccartridge 320, a discrimination recess 311 for discriminating themagneto-optical disc is formed in the forward edge of the lower majorsurface of the cartridge main member. With the cartridge main member 316of the read-only disc cartridge 321, a discrimination recess 318 fordiscriminating the optical disc is formed in the forward edge of thelower major surface of the cartridge main member. The discriminationrecess 311 for the magneto-optical disc and the discrimination recess318 for the optical disc are different in depth from the lower majorsurface in order to permit the disc housed in the cartridge main memberto be identified to be a magneto-optical disc or an optical disc basedon such difference in depth.

(ii) Outline of a disc changer device (FIGS. 54 and 61 to 63)

As shown in FIGS. 54 and 61 to 63, the disc changer device has discstockers 62, 71 for housing a plurality of cartridge holders 70 intiers. Each cartridge holder 70 is designed to hold a disc cartridge 320or 321 introduced therein from the front side, as shown by arrow T inFIG. 54. The disc changer device has a mechanical chassis 11 and a liftdevice for vertically moving the chassis between positions facingrespective ones of the cartridge holders 70. The mechanical chassis 11has an optical pickup 65 and a disc table 64 for recording and/orreproducing information signals on or from the loaded disc cartridge.The disc changer device also has a transporting device as means fortransporting the cartridge holder 70 facing the mechanical chassis asfar as the mechanical chassis 11. The transporting device 126 isarranged on the mechanical chassis 11. The disc stockers 62, 71, liftdevice and the mechanical chassis 11 are mounted on the base chassis 10as the base and are housed in their entirety in an outer casing 74.

With the present disc changer device, control of the motors, detectionswitches, optical pickup unit and the magnetic head and signal exchangewith these devices are performed by a control circuit, not shown, thatis operated responsive to an input device, also not shown.

(iii) Construction of a lift device (FIGS. 1 to 24)

As previously discussed, the lift device represents the movement deviceas applied to the present disc changer device. The lift device isadapted for moving the mechanical chassis 11 on a straight locus ofmovement within a pre-set range as an object to be moved, as shown inFIGS. 1 to 4. With the present disc changer device, the lift device isadapted for moving the mechanical chassis 11 vertically as indicated byarrows C and D in FIG. 2.

The mechanical chassis 11 is biased into downward movement under theforce of gravity. The mechanical chassis 11 has a forward pair and arear pair of profiling pins 12, 13, 12, 13. The mechanical chassis 11 isarranged between the sidewall sections 1 and 2 set upright for facingand parallel to each other on the base chassis 10 of the disc changerdevice.

The mechanical chassis 11 is sequentially uplifted by continued rotationof the first cam gear 51 in the positive direction. The mechanicalchassis 11 is sequentially lowered by continued rotation of the firstcam gear 51 in the reverse direction, as discussed above.

(iv) Construction of a mechanical chassis (FIGS. 82 to 88)

The mechanical chassis 11, lifted by the lift device, is substantiallyplanar, and has a disc drive unit 174 as a recording and/or reproducingapparatus at a forward portion thereof, as shown in FIGS. 82 to 88.

The disc drive unit 174 has a rectangular-shaped chassis, substantiallyequal in size to the disc cartridge 320 or 321, carrying thereon a disctable 64 engaged in a chuck aperture 304 of the disc and an opticalpickup unit 65 for writing or reading information signals on or from thedisc. The chassis of the disc driving unit 174 has a forward pair and arear pair of supporting pins 193, 193, 194, 194 by which the chassis issupported by a left pair and a right pair of support pieces 184, 184 ofthe mechanical chassis 11. Each of the support pieces 184, 184 has aforward pair and a rear pair of inclined slits 195, 195, 196, 196 passedthrough by the support pins 193, 193, 194, 194. These inclined slits195, 195, 196, 196 are inclined so that the rear portions thereof arehigher in level than the forward portions thereof. Thus the disc driveunit 174 is set to a release position lowered relative to the mechanicalchassis 11, as shown in FIGS. 82 and 84, by being moved forwardlyrelative to the mechanical chassis 11. On the other hand, the disc driveunit 174 is set to a chuck position uplifted relative to the mechanicalchassis 11, as shown in FIGS. 83 and 85, by being moved rearwardlyrelative to the mechanical chassis 11.

The disc drive unit 174 is moved towards rear in this manner by atransporting device 126 as later explained. The disc drive unit 174 isbiased into forward movement by a tension coil spring 213 mountedbetween it and the mechanical chassis 11. The disc drive unit 174 issupported on the mechanical chassis 11 via plural dumpers 197, 198.

The optical pickup unit 65 includes an optical block within which areenclosed a light source, such as a semiconductor laser, an opticalsystem for guiding a light beam from the light source, an objective lens189 for converging and emitting the light beam, and a photodetector fordetecting the return light beam from the objective lens 189. The disctable 64 is substantially in the form of a disc on the upper surface ofwhich there is formed a central conically-shaped protrusion engaged inthe chuck aperture 304. The protrusion has enclosed therein a permanentmagnet for magnetically attracting the chuck plate 302.

The disc table 64 is set at a mid portion of the chassis of the discdrive unit 174, and is adapted for being rotated by a spindle motormounted on the lower surface of the chassis. The optical pickup unit 65is mounted on the lower surface of the chassis of the disc drive unitand directs the light beam from the objective lens 189 upwards through athrough-hole 67 formed in the chassis. The optical pickup unit 65 ismounted laterally of the disc table 64 and is adapted for being movablealong the chassis in a direction towards and away from the disc table64.

On the chassis of the disc driving unit 174 are set four positioningpins 66 at the corner regions. When the disc cartridge 320 or 321 is setand loaded on the chassis, those of the positioning pins 66 disposedahead and at back of the optical pickup unit 65 are engaged in theforward and rear positioning holes 309 and 310 for positioning the disccartridge 320 or 321. The recording disc is held in position by theprotrusion of the disc table 64 engaged in the chuck aperture 304 and bythe chuck plate 302 attracted by the permanent magnet. On the chassis ofthe disc driving unit 174 is mounted a detection switch for detectingthe depth of the discrimination opening 324.

A magnetic head 192 is mounted on the optical pickup unit 65 via a headarm 188. The head arm 188 has its proximal end rotatably supported via asupport shaft 190 relative to the optical pickup unit 65 and carries atits distal end the magnetic head 192 via a gimbal spring so that themagnetic head is movable towards and away from the objective lens 189.The head arm 188 is biased by a spring placed around the support shaft190 into rotation for moving the magnetic head 192 upwards away from theobjective lens 189. The head arm 188 has an abutment piece 212 at itsproximal portion. By the disc drive unit 174 in the chuck position beingmoved further to its recording position, as shown in FIG. 85, theabutment piece 212 is caused to bear against the abutment piece 211mounted on the mechanical chassis 11, as shown in FIG. 86, for rotatingthe head arm 188 in a direction of lowering the magnetic head 192. Withthe present disc changer device, the playback mode is executed while thedisc drive unit 174 is at the chuck position, and the recording mode isexecuted while the disc drive unit 174 is at the recording position.During the recording mode, the magnetic head 192 is intruded into thecartridge main member 305 via the aperture 323 for the magnetic headinto sliding contact with the magneto-optical disc.

(v) Construction of a cartridge holder (FIGS. 55 to 58 and 69)

With the present disc changer device, the disc cartridge 320 or 321 isintroduced into plural cartridge holders 70 supported by the discstockers 62, 71 as later explained.

The cartridge holder 70 has a holding plate 75 for holding the disccartridge 320 or 321, as shown in FIGS. 55 to 58. The holding plate 75is in the from of a substantially rectangular flat plate correspondingin shape and size to the disc cartridge 320 or 321, and has its bothlateral sides bend downwards. The lateral edge portions thus bent downare further bent inward towards each other to from a pair of cartridgeholding portions 98, 97. The disc cartridge 320 or 321 is inserted fromthe forward side into a space between the main plate portion of theholding plate 75 and the cartridge holing portions 98, 97 so as to beheld by the holding plate 75.

One of the lateral sides of the holding plate 75 bent downwards isformed with an inwardly bent mistaken insertion prohibitive lug 102. Themistaken insertion prohibitive lug is intruded into a mistaken insertionprohibitive groove formed in the disc cartridge 320 or 321 when the disccartridge is inserted in the regular direction. Conversely, when thedisc cartridge 320 or 321 is about to be inserted in the incorrectdirection into the holding plate 75, the lug prohibits insertion of thedisc cartridge 321 or 321.

On the downwardly bent lateral sides of the holding plate 75 are formeda forward pair and a rear pair of supporting pins 98, 100, 99, 101extending outward. The cartridge holder 70 is supported via thesesupporting pins by the disc stockers 62, 71, as later explained.

On the upper surface of the holding plate 75 is mounted a slider 105 forsliding in the fore-and-aft direction. The slider 105 is formed as asubstantially flat triangular plate and has a forward pair and a rearpair of slits 106, 107 in which supporting shafts 103, 104 set uprighton the upper surface of the holding plate 75 are introduced in order topermit the slider to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction.

The slider 105 has at its rear edge a downwardly bent tongue 108 whichdepends below the major plate portion of the holding plate 75 via acut-out 76 formed in the rear edge portion of the holding plate 75 to aposition of facing the forward end face of the disc cartridge 320 or321. When the disc cartridge 320 or 321 is inserted into the holdingplate 75 until the tongue 108 is caused to bear against the forward endface of the disc cartridge, the disc cartridge has its rear portionprotruded towards the front side of the holding plate 75. The slider 105has its lateral side bent downwards along one lateral side of theholding plate 75 and carries a spring plate member 111 mounted on thebent portion. The spring plate portion 111 has its forward end securedto the slider 105 while having its rear end as a free end carrying afitting member 112. The fitting member 112 is intruded more inwardlythan the bent portion of the holding plate 75 and engaged in the matingengagement recess 312 in the disc cartridge 320 or 321 held by theholding plate 75.

The major plate portion of the holding plate 75 has a through-hole 77 inregistration with the aperture for the magnetic head 323.

On the lateral side of the holding plate 75 is slidably mounted a sideplate 125 for sliding in the fore-and-aft direction. The side plate 125has a forward pair and a rear pair of slits 113, 116. The side plate 125is supported for sliding movement in the fore-and-aft direction byhaving an engagement pin 110 on the slider 105 in the forward side slit113 and by having a support pin 100 formed at a rear portion on onelateral side of the slider 105 in the rear side slit 116.

The slider 105 has its slide range defined by the length of the slits105, 106. The side plate 125 has its slide range relative to the slider105 defined by the length of the forward side slit 113. That is, theside plate 125 may be slid relative to the holding plate 75 within arange which is equal to the sum of the slide range of the slider 105relative to the holding plate 75 and the slide range of the side plate125 relative to the slider 106.

On the slider 105 is mounted a spring retainer 109 extending in the samedirection as the engagement pin 110. The spring retainer 109 isintroduced into a through-hole 114 formed in the side plate 125 at backof the forward side slit 113. Between the spring retainer 109 and aforward edge 121 of the through-hole 114 is mounted a tension coilspring 115. That is, the slider 105 is biased into forward movementrelative to the side plate 125 as indicated by arrow L in FIG. 55. Theside plate 125 is biased into rearward movement relative to the holdingplate 75 by a tension coil spring 124 mounted between the springretainer 122 provided at a mid portion of the side plate 125 and aspring retainer 123 mounted at a rear side of the holding plate 75 asindicated by arrow M in FIG. 55.

The rear side of the side plate 128 is protruded further rearward fromthe rear edge of the holding plate 75. The rear side portion of the sideplate 125 has an engagement opening 117 engaged by movement means aslater explained. The engagement opening 117 is in continuation from therear end of the rear slit 116. The rear end portion of the side plate125 has a mating retention pin 118.

On the opposite lateral side of the holding plate 75 is mounted a lockarm 88. The lock arm 88 has its rear end rotatably supported via asupport shaft 87 by a rear portion of the opposite lateral side of theholding plate 75, while having its forward end as a free end. The lockarm 88 is biased into rotation by a tension coil spring 85 in adirection in which its forward end is brought into pressure contact withthe holding plate 75 as indicated by arrow J in FIG. 55. The tensioncoil spring 85 is mounted between a spring retainer 88 mounted at itsmid portion and a spring retainer 84 mounted at a mid portion of themajor plate portion of the holding plate 75. The lateral side of he lockarm 88 in contact with the holding plate 75, that is its inner side, hasa shutter opening lug 89 and a shutter closing lug 90. These lugs 89, 90are protruded inward via the downwardly directed opposite lateral sideportion of the holding plate 75. The outer lateral side of the lock arm88 has a lock recess 92 retained by the disc stocker 62 as laterexplained. The forward side of the lock arm 88 has a forwardly inclinedtaper portion 91.

On the holding plate 75 is mounted a coupling arm 79 having its midportion rotatably supported by a support shaft 78. The coupling arm 79has its one end positioned at the forward side of the side plate 125 andits other end facing the taper portion 91 at the forward end of the lockarm 88. One end of the coupling arm 79 carries an abutment pin 120abutted by the forward end of the side plate 125. The opposite side ofthe coupling arm 79 carries a downwardly directed sliding pin 93 kept insliding contact with the taper portion 91. Arcuate slits 82, 83 centeredat the support shaft 78 are formed at one and the other end of thecoupling arm 79. Rotation limiting pins 80, 81 set upright on theholding pin 75 are introduced into these slits 82, 83 for limiting therange of rotation of the coupling arm 79. The coupling arm 79 is biasedinto rotation by a tension coil spring 94 mounted between the slidecontact pin 93 and a spring retainer 95 mounted at a forward side of theopposite lateral side of the holding plate 75 in a direction offorwardly moving the abutment pin 93 as indicated by arrow G in FIG. 55.

When the slider 105 and the side plate 125 are slid forwards asindicated by arrow O in FIG. 58, the coupling arm 79 has its abutmentpin 120 thrust by the forward end of the side plate 125. Thus thecoupling arm 79 is rotated against the bias of the tension coil spring94, as indicated by arrow P in FIG. 58. The slide contact pin 93 isbrought into sliding contact with the tapered portion 91 for rotatingthe lock arm 88 outward against the bias of the tension coil spring 85as indicated by arrow Q in FIG. 58.

The state of the cartridge holder 70 in the absence of an externalpressure is such that the side plate 125 and the slider 105 are locatedtowards rear, while the coupling arm 79 and the lock arm 88 have beenrotated under the bias of the tension coil springs 94, 85, respectively,as shown in FIG. 56.

(vi) Construction of a disc stocker (FIGS. 60, 64 to 68)

Each of the disc stockers 62, 71 is formed as a substantially flatplate, and is set on the forward side of the base chassis 10, that is onthe forward side of the mechanical chassis 11, in the form of sidewallsections facing each other, as shown in FIG. 60. The distance betweenthese disc stockers 62, 71 corresponds to the transverse width of thecartridge holder 70. The surfaces of the disc stockers 62, 71 facingeach other are formed with plural support grooves 165, 165 engaged bythe support pins 99, 101, 98, 100 of the cartridge holder 70. Thesesupport grooves 165, 167 face one another at the same height invertically spaced apart positions. These support grooves 165, 167 areformed for extending from the forward side towards the rear side of eachdisc stocker 62, 71. The forward ends of the support grooves are closedby the front wall sections, while the rear ends thereof are openedtowards rear.

A number of the disc cartridges 70 are supported in tiers for lyingacross the disc stockers 62, 71 by engaging the support pins 99, 101,98, 100 in the support grooves 165, 167. The disc stocker 62 facing theopposite lateral side of the cartridge holder 70, that is the sidethereof having the lock arm 88, has a plurality of grooves 164 overlyingthe support grooves 165 and facing the lock arm 88. Within each of thesegrooves 164 is formed a retention piece 166 engaged in the lock recess92 for retaining the cartridge holder 70 when the cartridge holder 70 isat a forward position between the disc stockers 62, 71 and the lock arm88 is rotated in a direction away from the cartridge holder 70, as shownin FIG. 65.

On the outer side of the disc stocker 71 facing a lateral side of thecartridge holder 70 carrying the side plate 125 is mounted a lock plate72 by set screws 172, 172. These set screws 172, 172 are passed throughscrew holes formed in the forward side of the lock plate 72 and arescrewed into tapped holes 171, 171 formed in the forward side portion ofthe lock plate 72. The lock plate 72 is formed as a spring plate from anelastic material such as a metal plate. The lock plate 72 is formed withplural parallel slits extending from its rear edge towards its forwardside and is thereby divided into plural strip-like portions 168. Thelock plate 72 is mounted on the disc stocker 71 with the strip-likeportions 168 lying on the support grooves 167. Each of the strip-likeportions 168 has its rear end portion bent 30° to 40° outward to form aninclined section 169. The inclined section 169 of each strip-likeportion 168 is protruded towards rear of the disc stocker 71. The rearend of each strip-like portion 168 has a lock hole 170. Each lock hole170 is positioned at back of the rear end of the disc stocker 71. Whenthe cartridge holder 70 is positioned at a forward side portion betweenthe disc stockers 62, 71, and the side plate 125 is slid forwards, theside plate 125 is held at the forward side position, with the matingretention pin 118 being engaged in the lock hole 170, as shown in FIGS.64 and 65. The mating retention pin 118 has a reduced-diameter portionat its mid portion and is prohibited from descent from the lock hole 170by the forward edge of the lock hole 170 engaged in the reduced-diameterportion 119. The mating retention pin 118, thus engaged in and retainedby the lock hole 170, is extracted out of the lock hole 170 by movingthe side plate 125 further forwards for disengaging the reduced-diameterportion 119 from the forward edge of the lock hole 170 and subsequentlyelastically displacing the strip-like portion 168 outward away from theside plate 125. Such movement of the side plate 125 towards the forwardside and displacement of the strip-like portion 168 towards outside areexecuted by the transporting device 126 as later explained.

With the disc stockers 62, 71, the cartridge holder 70 is held at itsforward position by the side plate 125 being held at the forwardposition when the mating retention pin 118 is inserted into and retainedby the lock hole 170, as shown in FIG. 65. In addition, the cartridgeholder 70 is held at the forward position by the forward end of the sideplate 125 being caused to bear against the abutment pin 120 to rotatethe coupling arm 79, with the lock arm 88 being rotated outward forretaining the lock recess 92 by the retention piece 166.

When the disc cartridge 320 or 321 is inserted from the front side intothe cartridge holder 70 held at the forward position between the discstockers 62, 71, as shown in FIG. 66, the engagement member 112 isthrust by the forward end of the disc cartridge 320 or 321 fordisplacing the spring plate member 111 towards outside, as shown in FIG.67. When the disc cartridge 320 or 321 has been inserted into thecartridge holder as far as a pre-set position at which the forbad end ofthe disc cartridge 320 or 321 is caused to bear against the tongue 108of the slider 105, the engagement member 112 is engaged in the matingengagement recess 312 under the bias of the spring plate member 112. Thedisc cartridge 320 or 321 has its rear portion protruded at this timetowards the front side of the outer casing 74.

The engagement member 112 may be moved outward via a cut-out 183 formedin the side plate 125, while being limited as to the distance ofmovement towards outside by a holding piece 182 protruded from the frontside of the cut-out 183, as shown in FIG. 69.

The shutter opening protrusion 89 of the lock arm 88 now faces the frontend of the shutter member 306 or 317, wile facing the lock member 325via the support groove 307. The lock member 325 is mounted within thedisc cartridge 320 or 321 for holding the shutter member 308 or 317 atthe shutter closing position. The shutter closing protrusion 90 facesthe shutter closing aperture 308. If, in this state, the lock arm 88 isrotated towards the shutter holder 70, the protrusion 89 of the lock arm88 is intruded into the support groove 307 for displacing the lockmember 325 into its lock state. On the other hand, the shutter openingprotrusion 89 is positioned ahead of the forward end of the shuttermember 306 or 317 for intruding the shutter closing protrusion 90 intothe shutter closing aperture 308 while disengaging the retention piece166 from the lock recess 92.

(vii) Construction of a transporting device (FIGS. 59, 61, 70 to 81 and89 to 92)

The transporting device 126 has a base portion 126a arranged on themechanical chassis 11 for movement in the fore-and-aft direction, asshown in FIGS. 59 and 61. The base 126a is movable in the fore-and-aftdirection by and along guide shafts 129, 130 arranged on the mechanicalchassis 11 for extending parallel to each other in the fore-and-aftdirection. As shown in FIG. 89, a thrust bearing 128 passed through bythe guide shaft 130 is mounted on one lateral side of the base 126a,while a grip member 127 supported by the other guide shaft 129 ismounted on its opposite lateral side. The base 126a is supported by theguide shafts 130, 129 via the thrust bearing 128 and the grip member127.

On the base 126a are rotatably mounted forward and rear side pulleys133, 131, first and second transmission gears 132, 134 and a pinned gear135. These forward and rear side pulleys 133, 131, first and secondtransmission gears 132, 134 and a pinned gear 135 are mounted on thebase 126a via rotary support shafts 144, 142, 143, 145 and 146 setupright on the base 126a. As shown in FIG. 90, an operating pin 136 isset upright on the lower surface of the pinned gear 135. The operatingpin 136 is extended downwardly of the base 126a via an arcuate slit 210formed in the base 126a.

On the mechanical chassis 11, an endless timing belt 137 is arranged forextending across the forward and rear ends of the mechanical chassis 11by way of the base 126a. Specifically, the timing belt 137 is placedaround a forward side gear 160 rotatably supported via a rotary supportshaft 161 on the forward end of the mechanical chassis 11 and a reargear 162 rotatably supported via a rotary support shaft 163 at the rearend of the mechanical chassis 11. The timing belt 137 is placed aroundthe first transmission gear 132 via the forward side pulley 133 from theforward gear 160 so as to be returned to the rear gear 162 via the rearpulley 131.

The rear gear 162 is run in rotation by a movement motor 181 mounted onthe mechanical chassis 11. That is, the driving shaft of the movementmotor 181 carries a driving pulley 180. An endless driving belt 179 isplaced around the driving pulley 180 and a first transmission pulley 178rotatably mounted at back of the mechanical chassis 11. A secondtransmission pulley 177 is mounted as one and coaxially with the firsttransmission pulley 178. An endless driving belt 176 is placed aroundthe second transmission pulley 177 and a third transmission pulley 175mounted coaxially with the rear gear 162.

On the lower surface of the base 126a are rotatably mounted a holdingarm 141 and a switching arm 140. The switching arm 140 is formed as asubstantially T-shaped flat plate having an operating arm 150 protrudedlaterally from a strip-shaped main member. The main member has its oneend rotatably supported by a support shaft 147 on the base portion 128a.The lateral side of the distal end of the operating arm 150 is bent toform an operating portion 151. The mid portion of the main member of theswitching arm 140 has a cam slit 148 passed through by the operating pin136. The opposite side of the main member of the switching arm 140 has aholding recess 149 adapted for cooperating with a holding arm 141 aslater explained for holding the side plate 125.

On the lower surface of the base 126a is mounted a thrust switch 138with its thrust lug 139 facing the operating portion 151 of theswitching arm 140. The thrust switch 138 plays the role of detectingcompletion of forward movement of the base 126a.

The holding arm 141 is a planar sector-shaped plate having an includedangle on the order of 30° and having its proximal portion correspondingto the rib of the sector (fan) rotatably mounted on the base 126a via asupport shaft 152. The distal portion of the holding arm 141 has a camslit 153 adapted to be traversed by the operating pin 136, a holdingpawl 156 having a lateral hooked lug 155 engaged in the engagementopening 117 in the side plate 125, an abutment pawl 154 for outwardlydisplacing the strip-like portions 168 of the lock plate 72 and aprofiling roll 157 arranged on the periphery of the sector (fan) shape.

The profiling roll 157 is engaged in a cam groove 158 provided in themechanical chassis 11, as shown in FIGS. 78 to 81. The cam groove 158 islinear in contour extending parallel to the guide shafts 130, 129 andonly has its foremost end arcuately bowed towards the hooked lug 155 toform a bend 159. When the base portion 126a is at the forward position,the holding arm 141 is rotatable within a rotational range of moving theprofiling roll 157 within the bend 159, as shown in FIGS. 78 to 90. Whenthe base portion 126a is moved towards rear, the holding arm 141 is heldat the position of having been rotated to the side of receding thehooked lug 155, as shown in FIG. 81.

With the transporting device 126, the pinned gear 135 causes theswitching arm 140 and the holding arm 141 to be rotated via theoperating pin 136.

In the initial state, the base portion 126a is at the forward position,while the switching arm 140 has been rotated in a direction of thrustingthe thrust switch 138 by the operating portion 151 and the holding arm141 has been rotated in a direction of receding the hooked lug 155, asshown in FIGS. 70 to 78. In such state, the holding recess 149 of theswitching arm 140 is located at back of the rear end of the side plate125 without being contacted with the side plate 125, while the abutmentpawl 154 and the hooked lug 155 are positioned on both sides of the rearend of the side plate 125 without being contacted with the side plate125. The abutment pawl 154 is intruded into a space between the rear endof the side plate 125 and the inclined section 169 of the strip-shapedportion 168. Consequently, since the transporting device 128 is notcontacted with the cartridge holder 70 nor the disc stocker 71, thelifting operation of the mechanical chassis by the lift device is notimpeded. That is, the mechanical chassis 11 is uplifted or lowered bythe lift device and one of the cartridge holders 70 may be selectedwhich is positioned facing the mechanical chassis 11.

When the movement motor 181 at this time is run in rotation, the timingbelt 137 is fed in the direction of moving the base portion 126a towardsrear, that is in a direction of feeding the base portion placed aroundthe pulleys 133, 131 towards rear. Since the profiling roll 157 at thistime is engaged in the bend 159 of the cam groove 158, the base portion126a is prohibited from being moved rearward. Consequently, the timingbelt 137 causes the pinned gear 135 to be rotated via the first andsecond transmission gears 132, 134. By such rotation of the pinned gear135, the switching arm 140 is first rotated to annul the thrusting ofthe thrust switch 138 by the thrusting portion 151, as shown in FIGS. 71and 79. Besides, the switching arm 140 when rotated thrusts the rear endof the side plate 125 by the proximal portion of the holding recess 149.The side plate 125 is moved slightly forwards to disengage thereduced-diameter portion 119 of the mating retention pin 118 from therear end of the lock hole 170.

When further the movement motor 181 is run in rotation to feed thetiming belt 137, the holding arm 141 is rotated by the pinned gear 135in a direction of causing the hooked lug 155 to be advanced towards theside plate 125, as shown in FIGS. 72 and 80. The hooked lug 155 is thenintruded into the engagement opening 117 in order to hold the rear endof the side plate 125 in cooperation with the holding recess 149. Theholding arm 141, thus rotated, thrusts the inner lateral surface of thestrip-shaped portion 168 by the abutment pawl 154 in order to shift thestrip-like portion 168 outward for extracting the mating retention pin118 from the lock hole 170. By such rotation of the holding arm 141, theprofiling roll 157 reaches the rear end of the bend 159, that is theforward end of the linear section of the cam groove 158. Thus thetransporting device 126 is enabled to be moved rearward.

When the movement motor 181 is further run in rotation, the base portion126a starts to be moved towards rear, as shown in FIG. 73. When the baseportion 126a starts to be moved rearward in this manner, the profilingroll 157 is caused to follow the linear section of the cam groove 158and prohibits rotation of the holding arm 141 to its initial position,that is rotation of receding the hooked lug 155. The cartridge holder 70causes only the side plate 125 to be moved towards rear, with theholding plate 75 remaining stationary. The coupling arm ceases to berotated by the side plate 125 and is rotated to its initial positionunder the bias of the tension coil spring 94. Thus the lock arm 88 isrotated to its initial position lying along the opposite lateral side ofthe holding plate 75, under the bias of the tension coil spring 85, sothat the lock recess 92 ceases to be engaged with the retention piece166. Thus the shutter opening protrusion 89 is intruded into the supportgroove 307, while the shutter closing protrusion 90 is intruded into theshutter closing aperture 308. The holding plate 75 is biased forwardsunder the bias of the tension coil spring 124 mounted between it and theside plate 125 and hence is kept at the forward position within the discstockers 62, 71.

When the transporting device 126 is moved further rearward, the slider105 is moved rearward with the rearward movement of the side plate 125,as shown in FIG. 74. With the rearward movement of the slider 105, thedisc cartridge 320 or 321 is moved rearward within the holding plate 75because the disc cartridge 320 or 321 is operatively linked to theslider 105 by the engagement member 112 being engaged with the matingretention recess 312. Consequently, the shutter member 306 or 317 isactuated for opening movement because it is kept at a position in whichthe opening protrusion 89 is caused to bear against its forward end.

When the side plate 125 reaches the rear position relative to theholding plate 75, and the transporting device 126 is further movedrearward, the cartridge holder 70 is extracted from the space betweenthe disc stockers 62 and 71 and starts to be moved towards rear, asshown in FIGS. 75 and 77.

The cartridge holder 70 is extracted from the space between the discstockers 62 and 71 and reaches a position overlying the disc drivingunit 174. Since this time, the cartridge holder 70 is caused to bearagainst the disc driving unit 174, and is moved towards rear along withthe disc driving unit 174. When reaching the first rear position, thetransporting device 126 detects, by a first detection switch 185provided on the mechanical chassis 11, that the first rear position hasbeen reached, as shown in FIGS. 76 and 81. The disc drive unit 174 atthis time is at the above-mentioned chuck position. The cartridge holder70 has its supporting pins 98, 100, 99, 101 supported by support members200, 200 arranged on both sides of the mechanical chassis 11, as shownin FIG. 84. Each of the support members 200, 200 has support grooves199, 199 similar to the support grooves 165, 167 on its opposite lateralsides. These support grooves formed in the support members 200, 200 arealigned with rear extension of the support grooves 165, 167 supportingthe cartridge holder 70 selected by the lift movement for the mechanicalchassis 11. That is, the support pins 98, 100, 99, 101, extractedrearward from the disc stockers 62, 71, are intruded from the forwardside into the support grooves 199, 199 of the support members 200, 200.

By the disc driving unit 174 being moved to the chuck position shown inFIG. 85, the cartridge holder 70, transported along with the disc driveunit 174, has its disc cartridge 320 or 321 chucked by the disc driveunit 174.

When the cartridge holder 70 is further moved rearward, the cartridgeholder 70 is moved rearward along with the disc drive unit 174. When thetransporting device 126 reaches a second rear position further rearwardthan the first rear position, this is detected by a second detectionswitch 186 provided on the mechanical chassis 11. The disc drive unit174 at this time is at the above-mentioned recording position.

By the disc driving unit 174 being moved to the above-mentionedrecording position shown in FIG. 86, the cartridge holder 70,transported along with the disc driving unit 174, has its magnetic head192 slidingly contacted with the magneto-optical disc of therecording/reproducing disc cartridge 320.

For returning the disc cartridge 320 or 321 chucked by the head driveunit 174 to the disc stockers 62, 71, the disc driving unit 174 is firstreturned to the release position shown in FIG. 84. The movement motor181 is rotated in the reverse direction to the rotational directionduring extraction of the cartridge holder 70 from the disc stocker 62,71. The transporting device 126, so far at the rearmost position shownin FIG. 78, now starts to be moved forwards. The cartridge holder 70 ismoved forwards along the support grooves 199, 199 of the supportingmembers 200, 200, and is intruded into the space between the discstockers 62, 71, as shown in FIG. 75. When the side plate 125 is at theinitial position relative to the holding plate 75, the cartridge holder70 is housed between the disc stockers 62 and 71, as shown in FIG. 74.The holding plate 75 is halted to a position at which the forward sidesupporting pins 99, 98 are caused to bear against the closed foremostends of the support grooves 165, 167.

When the transporting device 128 is moved further forwards, the sideplate 125 is moved further forwards, and the slider 105 is also movedforwards in unison therewith, as shown in FIG. 73. The disc cartridge320 or 321 is pushed forwards by the tongue 108 of the slider 105. Bythe disc cartridge 320 or 321 being pushed forwards, the shutter member306 or 317 performs its closing movement, because it is halted by theengagement of the shutter closing protrusion 90 with the shutter closingaperture 308. The abutment pawl 154 is slidingly contacted with theinclined section 169 for elastically shifting the strip-shaped portion168 outward.

When the movement motor 181 is further run in rotation, the base portion126a reaches its foremost position, as shown in FIGS. 72 and 80. Thecartridge holder 70 shifts only the side plate 125 forwards, with theholding plate 75 being at a standstill. Thus the coupling arm 79 isrotated by the side plate 125 against he bias of the tension coil spring94. The coupling arm 79 causes the lock arm 88 to be rotated against thebias of the tension coil spring 85. The lock recess 92 is engaged by theretention piece 166. The shutter closure protrusion 89 is receded atthis time from the support groove 307, while the shutter closureprotrusion 90 is receded from the shutter closing aperture 308. Theprofiling roll 157 reaches the rear end of the bowed portion 159, thatis the forward end of the linear section of the cam groove 158, as shownin FIG. 80. Thus it becomes possible for the holding arm 141 to causethe profiling roll 157 to be rotated so as to follow the contour of thebend 159.

When the movement motor 181 is further run in rotation for feeing thetiming belt 137, the pinned gear 135 causes the holding arm 141 to berotated in a direction of shifting the hooked lug 155 away from the sideplate 125, as shown in FIGS. 71 and 79. The hooked lug 155 is thenreceded from the engagement opening 117 for releasing the holding on therear portion of the side plate 125. The holding arm 141, thus rotated,shifts the abutment pawl 154 away from the inner lateral surface of thestrip-shaped portion 168, which is then reset to its initial position.At this time, the mating retention pin 118 is intruded into the lockhole 170 of the strip-shaped portion 168.

When the movement motor 181 is further run in rotation, the switchingarm 140 is rotated and thrusts the thrust switch 138 by the operatingportion 151, as shown in FIGS. 70 and 78. By such thrusting of thethrust switch 138, it is detected that the cartridge holder 70 has beenreturned to the space between the disc stockers 62 and 71. On the otherhand, the switching arm 140 thus rotated releases the thrusting of therear end of the side plate 125 by the proximal portion of the holdingrecess 149. The side plate 125 is moved slightly towards rear forengaging the reduced-diameter portion 119 of the mating retention pin118 with the rear edge of the lock hole 170.

The transporting device 126, which has returned the cartridge holder 70to the space between the disc stockers 62, 71, is now enabled to belifted and lowered by the lift device.

(viii) Operation of a disc changer device

With the above-described disc changer device, the disc cartridge 320 or321 may be previously introduced into each of the cartridge holders 70supported between the disc stockers 62 and 71. At this time, the disccartridge 320 or 321 only has its mating retention recess 312 engaged bythe engagement member 112, while the shutter member 306 or 317 is notsubjected to the opening movement. Thus there is no risk of dust anddirt being intruded into the space within the cartridge main member 305or 318. On the other hand, since each disc cartridge 320 or 321 has itsrear portion protruded towards the forward side of the outer casing 74,it can be visually identified which type of the disc cartridge 320 or321 has been accommodated in the disc stockers 62, 71.

By acting on the input operating device, the mechanical chassis 11 canbe uplifted or lowered by the lift device for selecting one of the disccartridges 320 or 321 held by the cartridge holders 70. The cartridgeholder 70 thus selected is transported by the transporting device 126 asfar as the disc driving unit 174. Since the selected disc cartridge 320or 321 is seen to be entrained into the outer casing 74, it can beclearly seen that the disc cartridge has now been selected.

The disc cartridge 320 or 321, held by the cartridge holder 70transported on the disc drive unit 174, is chucked by the disc driveunit 174 which is at the chucked position. The playback mode is nowready to be executed. By the disc driving unit 174 being set to therecording mode, the magnetic head 192 is brought into sliding contactwith the magnet-optical disc for executing the recording mode.

With the present disc changer device, the disc cartridges 320 or 321other than the disc cartridge loaded on the disc driving unit 174 can beinserted into or taken out of the cartridge holders 70 by way ofperforming a disc cartridge exchange operation.

After the end of the recording mode or the reproducing mode, thecartridge holders 70 and the disc cartridges 320 or 321 are returned bythe transporting device 126 to the space between the disc stockers 62and 71.

(iX) Another construction of a cartridge holder (FIG. 93)

The disc changer device according to the present invention is notlimited to the above-described arrangement in which the operation ofselecting the cartridge holder 70 is performed by acting on the inputoperating device. Thus the disc changer device may also be so arrangedthat the disc cartridge 320 or 321 is selected by thrusting the rear endof the disc cartridge 320 or 321 inserted into the cartridge holder 70.

Specifically, a thrust detection arm 203 is mounted on each of theholder plates 75. The thrust detection arm 203 has its rear endrotatably supported via a support shaft 204 relative to the rear portionof the lateral side of the holding plate 75, and has an actuated arm 106extended towards rear of the holding plate 75 and an actuating arm 107protruded at the lateral side of the holding plate 75. An actuating pin205 is provided on the slider 105 at a position at back of the actuatedarm 206. The thrust detection arm 203 is rotationally biased in adirection of thrusting the actuated arm 206 against the actuating pin205 by a tension coil spring 209 mounted between a spring retainer 208provided at a rear portion of the holding plate 75 and a springretention hole 210 formed in the actuated arm 206. The disc stocker 62is provided with plural thrust detection switches 201 each having athrust lug 202 facing the distal end of the actuating arm 207 of eachthrust detection arm 203.

When the cartridge holder 70 is held between the disc stockers 62, 71,the slider 105 is positioned forwardly, while the actuating pin 205holds the actuated arm 206 at the forward position, as shown in FIG. 93.The thrust detection arm 203 is held at a position in which theactuating arm 207 has been rotated in a direction of protruding theactuating arm 207 towards the opposite lateral side, with the actuatingarm 207 thrusting the thrust detection switch 201.

When the disc cartridge 320, 321 held by the holding plate 75 by thetongue 108 abutted against its front surface thrust rearward, the slider105 is thrust towards rear via the tongue 108 and is moved slightlytowards rear, as indicated by arrow R in FIG. 93. At this time, the sideplate 125 is prohibited from making a rearward movement by thestrip-like portion 168, while the holding pate 75 is prohibited frombeing moved rearward by the retention piece 166 being engaged in thelock recess 92. Thus the slider 105 is moved towards rear undertensioning the tension coil spring 115 and under producing movement ofthe engagement pin 110 within the forward side slit 113. Since theactuating pin 205 is moved towards rear by the rearward movement of theslider 105, the thrust detection arm 203 is rotated, under the bias ofthe tension coil spring 209, in a direction of receding the actuatingarm 207 towards the holding plate 75 as indicated by arrow S in FIG. 93.Such rotation of the thrust detection arm 203 releases thrusting on thethrust detection switch 201, so that it can be detected that the disccartridge 320 or 321 has now been thrust.

The control circuit causes the mechanical chassis 11 to be uplifted orlowered to a position of the cartridge holder 70 associated with thethrust detection switch 201 released from the thrust operation in orderto select the disc cartridge 320 or 321 held by the cartridge holder 70.The selected disc cartridge 320 or 321 is transported by thetransporting device 126 along with the cartridge holder 70 to the discdriving unit 174 so as to be chucked by the disc drive unit 174.

What is claimed is:
 1. A movement device comprising:a sidewall sectionhaving a guide slit formed therein, a profiling pin inserted into theguide slit and formed in an object to be moved, said guide slit extendsin an up-and-down direction so that the profiling pin is movable only inthe up-and-down direction, a first cam plate having at least one firsthorizontal section, a second horizontal section contiguous to said firsthorizontal section via a branching point and a first inclined section,and lying above said first horizontal section and a third horizontalsection contiguous to said first horizontal section via said branchingpoint and a second inclined section and lying below said firsthorizontal section, said first cam plate being horizontally movablebetween an initial position positioning said profiling pin at said firsthorizontal section and an operative position positioning said profilingpin at said second horizontal section or said third horizontal section,movement means for periodically moving said first cam plate inreciprocation in a forward direction and in a reverse direction betweensaid initial position and said operative position, and a second camplate having at least one horizontal abutment support and beinghorizontally movable between a supporting position supporting saidprofiling pin by said abutment support and a non-supporting positionreceding said abutment support away from a locus of movement of saidprofiling pin, said second cam plate being periodically movable in aforward direction and in a reverse direction by said movement means witha pre-set phase difference relative to said first cam plate, said secondcam plate, when said movement means performs a forward periodic movementand said first cam plate is horizontally moved from said initialposition to said operative position, being at said supporting positionduring the time said profiling pin passes through said branching point,thereby guiding said profiling pin to said first inclined sectionleading to said second horizontal section, said second cam plate, whensaid movement means performs a reverse periodic movement and said firstcam plate is horizontally moved from said initial position to saidoperative position, being at said non-supporting position during thetime said profiling pin passes through said branching point, therebyguiding said profiling pin to said second inclined section leading tosaid third horizontal section.
 2. A movement device comprising:asidewall section having a guide slit formed therein, a profiling pininserted into the guide slit and formed in an object to be moved, theguide slit extends away from one side and toward an opposite side ofsaid sidewall section, said profiling pin being movable only in adirection along said guide slit, biasing means for biasing said objecttowards said one side, a first cam plate having at least one first haltportion formed in a direction substantially normal to said guide slit, asecond halt portion contiguous to said first halt portion via abranching point and a first inclined section inclined relative to thedirection of said guide slit, said second halt portion being closer tosaid opposite side than said first halt portion, and a third haltportion contiguous to said first halt portion via said branching pointand a second inclined section inclined relative to the direction of saidguide slit, said third halt portion being closer to said one side thansaid first halt portion, said first cam plate moving said profiling pinin a direction substantially normal to said guide slit between aninitial position abuttingly supporting said profiling pin by said firsthalt portion and an operative position abuttingly supporting saidprofiling pin by said second halt portion or by said third halt portion,movement means for periodically moving said first cam plate inreciprocation in a forward direction and in a reverse direction betweensaid initial position and said operative position, and a second camplate having at least one abutment support and being movable by saidabutment support in a direction substantially normal to said guide slitbetween a supporting position abuttingly supporting said profiling pinby said abutment support and a non-supporting position receding saidabutment support away from the locus of movement of said profiling pin,said second cam plate being periodically movable by said movement meansin reciprocation in a forward direction and in a reverse direction witha pre-set phase difference relative to said first cam plate, said secondcam plate, when said movement means performs a forward periodic movementand said first cam plate is moved from said initial position to saidoperative position, being at said supporting position during the timesaid profiling pin passes through said branching point, therebyprohibiting said profiling pin from being moved in one direction underthe bias of said biasing means and guiding said profiling pin to saidfirst inclined section leading to said second halt portion, said secondcam plate, when said movement means performs a reverse periodic movementand said first cam plate is moved from said initial position to saidoperative position, being at said non-supporting position during thetime said profiling pin passes through said branching point, therebyenabling said profiling pin to be moved in one direction under the biasof said biasing means and guiding said profiling pin to said secondinclined section leading to said third halt portion.
 3. The movementdevice as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein:said movement means has arotatable cam member and rotational driving means for selectivelyrotating said rotatable cam member in a forward direction or in areverse direction, and said rotatable cam member having a first camsection for moving said first cam plate and a second cam section formoving said second cam plate.
 4. The movement device as claimed in claim3, wherein:the abutment support of the second cam plate is a side edgeportion of a lug having its one end supported by a main portion of thesecond cam plate and having its opposite end as a free end, and saidsecond cam plate being moved in reciprocation with a period equal toone-half the period of the movement of said first cam plate.
 5. A discchanger device, comprising:a recording disc holding unit holding pluralrecording discs in tiers, transporting means for transporting one ofrecording discs held in said recording disc holding unit for loading ona recording and/or reproducing unit, a movement device for moving saidtransporting means between positions associated with the recording discsfor causing the transporting means to select one of the recording discs,said transporting means being driven by a first motor and said movementdevice being driven by a second motor, and a sidewall section having aguide slit formed therein, said movement device having:a profiling pininserted into the guide slit and formed in the recording and/orreproducing unit, said guide slit extends in an up-and-down direction sothat the profiling pin is movable only in the up-and-down direction, afirst cam plate having at least one first horizontal section, a secondhorizontal section contiguous to said first horizontal section via abranching point and a first inclined section and lying above said firsthorizontal section and a third horizontal section contiguous to saidfirst horizontal section via said branching point and a second inclinedsection and lying below said first horizontal section, said first camplate being horizontally movable between an initial position positioningsaid profiling pin at said first horizontal section and an operativeposition positioning said profiling pin at said second horizontalsection or said third horizontal section, movement means forperiodically moving said first cam plate in reciprocation in a forwarddirection and in a reverse direction between said initial position andsaid operative position, and a second cam plate having at least onehorizontal abutment support and being horizontally movable between asupporting position supporting said profiling pin by said abutmentsupport and a non-supporting position receding said abutment supportaway from a locus of movement of said profiling pin, said second camplate being periodically movable in reciprocation in a forward directionand in a reverse direction by said movement means with a pre-set phasedifference relative to said first cam plate, said second cam plate, whensaid movement means performs a forward periodic movement and said firstcam plate is horizontally moved from said initial position to saidoperative position, being at said supporting position during the timesaid profiling pin passes through said branching point, thereby guidingsaid profiling pin to said first inclined section contiguous to saidsecond horizontal section, said second cam plate, when said movementmeans performs a reverse periodic movement and said first cam plate ishorizontally moved from said initial position to said operativeposition, being at said non-supporting position during the time saidprofiling pin passes through said branching point, thereby guiding saidprofiling pin to said second inclined section contiguous to said thirdhorizontal section.
 6. A disc changer device, comprising:a recordingdisc holding unit holding plural recording discs in tiers, transportingmeans for transporting one of recording discs held in said recordingdisc holding unit for loading on a recording and/or reproducing unit, amovement device for moving said transporting means between positionsassociated with the recording discs for causing the transporting meansto select one of the recording discs, said transporting means beingdriven by a first motor and said movement device being driven by asecond motor, and a sidewall section having a guide slit formed therein,said movement device having:a profiling pin inserted into the guide slitand formed in the recording and/or reproducing unit, said guide slitextends away from one side and toward an opposite side of said sidewallsection, said profiling pin being movable only in a direction along saidguide slit, biasing means for biasing said recording and/or reproducingunit towards said one side, a first cam plate having at least one firsthalt portion formed in a direction substantially normal to said guideslit, a second halt portion contiguous to said first halt portion via abranching point and a first inclined section inclined relative to thedirection of said guide slit, said second halt portion being closer tosaid opposite side than said first halt portion, and a third haltportion contiguous to said first halt portion via said branching pointand a second inclined section inclined relative to the direction of saidguide slit, said third halt portion being closer to said one side thansaid first halt portion, said first cam plate moving said profiling pinin a direction substantially normal to said guide slit between aninitial position abuttingly supporting said profiling pin by said firsthalt portion and an operative position abuttingly supporting saidprofiling pin by said second halt portion or by said third halt portion,movement means for periodically moving said first cam plate inreciprocation in a forward direction and in a reverse direction betweensaid initial position and said operative position, and a second camplate having at least one abutment support and being movable by saidabutment support in a direction substantially normal to said guide slitbetween a supporting position abuttingly supporting said profiling pinby said abutment support and a non-supporting position receding saidabutment support away from the locus of movement of said profiling pin,said second cam plate being periodically movable by said movement meansin reciprocation in a forward direction and in a reverse direction witha pre-set phase difference relative to said first cam plate, said secondcam plate, when said movement means performs a forward periodic movementand said first cam plate is moved from said initial position to saidoperative position, being at said supporting position during the timesaid profiling pin passes through said branching point, therebyprohibiting said profiling pin from being moved in one direction underthe bias of said biasing means and guiding said profiling pin to saidfirst inclined section contiguous to said second halt portion, saidsecond cam plate, when said movement means performs a reverse periodicmovement and said first cam plate is moved from said initial position tosaid operative position, being at said non-supporting position duringthe time said profiling pin passes through said branching point, therebyenabling said profiling pin to be moved in one direction under the biasof said biasing means and guiding said profiling pin to said secondinclined section contiguous to said third halt portion.
 7. The discchanger device as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein:the movement meanshas a rotatable cam member and rotational driving means for selectivelyrotating said rotatable cam member in a forward direction and in areverse direction, said rotatable cam member having a first cam sectionfor moving said first cam plate and a second cam section for moving saidsecond cam plate.
 8. The disc changer device as claimed in claim 5 or 6,wherein:the abutment support of the second cam plate is a side edge of alug having one end supported by a main member of the second cam plateand having the opposite end as a free end, said second cam plate beingmoved in reciprocation in a forward direction and in a reverse directionwith a period equal to one-half the period of reciprocating movement ofthe first cam plate.
 9. A movement device comprising:a sidewall sectionhaving a guide slit formed therein, a profiling pin inserted into theguide slit and formed in an object to be moved, said guide slit extendsin an up-and-down direction so that the profiling pin is movable only inthe up-and-down direction, a first cam plate having at least onezigzag-shaped first cam slit formed therein with said profiling pinengaged therein, the cam slit including a second horizontal sectionlying above and being contiguous to a first horizontal section via abranching point and a first inclined section, and a third horizontalsection lying below said first horizontal section and being contiguousto said first horizontal section via said branching point and a secondinclined section, said first cam plate being horizontally movablebetween an initial position positioning said profiling pin at said firsthorizontal section and an operative position positioning said profilingpin at said second horizontal section or said third horizontal section,movement means for periodically moving said first cam plate inreciprocation in a forward direction and in a reverse direction betweensaid initial position and said operative position, and a second camplate having at least one second cam slit with horizontal abutmentsupports and being horizontally movable between a supporting positionsupporting said profiling pin by one of said abutment supports and anon-supporting position with said abutment supports receded away from alocus of movement of said profiling pin, said second cam plate beingperiodically movable in a forward direction and in a reverse directionby said movement means with a pre-set phase difference relative to saidfirst cam plate, said second cam plate, when said movement meansperforms a forward periodic movement and said first cam plate ishorizontally moved from said initial position to said operativeposition, being at said supporting position during the time saidprofiling pin passes through said branching point, thereby guiding saidprofiling pin to said first inclined section leading to said secondhorizontal section, said second cam plate, when said movement meansperforms a reverse periodic movement and said first cam plate ishorizontally moved from said initial position to said operativeposition, being at said non-supporting position during the time saidprofiling pin passes through said branching point, thereby guiding saidprofiling pin to said second inclined section leading to said thirdhorizontal section.
 10. The movement device as claimed in claim 9,wherein:said movement means has a rotatable cam member and rotationaldriving means for selectively rotating said rotatable cam member in aforward direction or in a reverse direction, and said rotatable cammember having a first cam section for moving said first cam plate and asecond cam section for moving said second cam plate.
 11. The movementdevice as claimed in claim 10, wherein:the abutment support of thesecond cam plate is a side edge portion of a lug having its one endsupported by a main portion of the second cam plate and having itsopposite end as a free end, and said second cam plate being moved inreciprocation with a period equal to one-half the period of the movementof said first cam plate.